The 88th running of the Milan–San Remo cycling classic was held on 22 March 1997 and won by German Erik Zabel.
Summary
Michele Bartoli had a small lead on the top of the Poggio, before being joined by a small group with Johan Museeuw, Andrea Ferrigato and Marco Pantani. Rolf Sørensen led the pursuers, who rejoined the grupetto on the descent. A group of 40 decided the race in a sprint, for the first time in 17 years. Alberto Elli led the sprint from afar, but was overtaken by German sprint star Erik Zabel. Several riders were involved in a spectacular final-sprint crash, including Laurent Jalabert, Johan Museeuw and Maximilian Sciandri. Zabel was the second German winner of the Primavera after Rudi Altig in 1968 and the first winner in a mass sprint since Pierino Gavazzi in 1980.