Gallery: 2013 Milano-Sanremo, a soggy start

All eyes are on world champion Philppe Gilbert as he approaches the stage for rider sign-in. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | VeloNews.com

There is always a good crowd around the Omega Pharma-Quick Step team bus, vying to check out the latest bike set-ups of riders Mark Cavendish and Tom Boonen. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | VeloNews.com

Mark Cavendish maintains a poker face as the media hovers around him. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | VeloNews.com

The peloton lays in wait just before the start. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | VeloNews.com

Perhaps the most watched as race favorite Peter Sagan is last to head to the start. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | VeloNews.com

Rider Lars Bak seems to be contemplating the long day ahead as the rain falls at the start. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | VeloNews.com

An Orica-GreenEdge rider gets ready for the start just moments away. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | VeloNews.com

Anticipating the start, fans line up against the iconic Castello and fountain in Milan. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | VeloNews.com

A cold and wet start to La Classicisima has everyone bundled up for a brutal day. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | VeloNews.com

The first riders of the MTN-Qhubeka Team, Africa's first Pro Continental team, sign-in at the start in Milan. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | VeloNews.com

Diehard locals brave the frigid and wet morning while debating their picks for top finishers. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | VeloNews.com

The world champion's BMC bike for La Classicissima. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | VeloNews.com

Taylo Phinney keeps his focus amidst the media scrum at the foot of the Castello Sforzesco. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | VeloNews.com

Pippo Pozzato greets more press after long TV interviews at the start. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | VeloNews.com

Zdenek Stybar, still a relative newcomer to the classics, is all smiles at the start in Milan. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | VeloNews.com

Avid fans and spectators were not deterred by the cold and wet morning in Milan. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | VeloNews.com

As the rain eases up for the neutral start, team directors are already bracing for snow only 40km into the race. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | VeloNews.com