Wout van Aert will race the 2023 Milan–San Remo with a 1x SRAM Red eTap AXS groupset.
While the opening Monument of the season is played out over nearly 300km, Milan–San Remo is generally a very fast race, with the sharp end of the peloton averaging 45.4km/h in the 2022 edition.
Why is van Aert using a 1x drivetrain? Well, let’s take a look at the 2020 Milan–San Remo winner’s setup – and some of the potential advantages that might have led to the decision.
What’s van Aert running?

In pictures posted to his Instagram account, Van Aert reveals he will race on a Cervélo S5, but will forgo his typical 2x setup in favour of a 1x SRAM Red eTap AXS electronic groupset.
Speaking to BikeRadar, a SRAM spokesperson confirmed van Aert would