Damiano Cunego (capture-the-peloton.com)

COMO, Oct 19 (CP) - Italian Damiano Cunego has won the Giro di Lombardia for the second time in his career. The Lampre rider finished ahead of fellow countryman Riccardo Riccò.

The 101st edition of the Italian ProTour race consisted over a 242km long course, with start in Varese and finish in the town of Como.

A group of seven riders rode ahead of the peloton, with Losada, Lastras, Perez, Del Nero, Possoni, Tosatto and Kohl.

This lead group built up an advantage of more than ten minutes, but on the Ghisallo climb the lead began to go down significantly.

While CSC set a high pace in the pack, defending champion Paolo Bettini failed to keep up and a week after winning in Tours, the Quickstep rider now had no chance of success.

Tosatto was the last man standing from the original lead group, but was also caught at the climb up the Civiglio.

A new strong group of 18 then formed, with most of the favorites. This group was soon reduced to about eight, after which Damiano Cunego and Riccardo Riccò went on to form a lead duo.

At the finish, Cunego was much stronger than the Saunier Duval rider and easily took the victory.

Samuel Sánchez completed the podium, ahead of Andy Schleck and Davide Rebellin.

Race results:

1. Damiano Cunego (Ita-LAM) 5h52'48"
2. Riccardo Riccò (Ita-SDV) s.t.
3. Samuel Sánchez Gonzales (Esp-EUS) 0'10"
4. Andy Schleck (Lux-CSC) s.t.
5. Davide Rebellin (Ita-GST) s.t.
6. Cadel Evans (Aus-PRL) s.t.
7. Luca Mazzanti (Ita-PAN) s.t.
8. Thomas Dekker (Ned-RAB) s.t.
9. Giovanni Visconti (Ita-QSI) 0'16"
10. Christopher Horner (USA-PRL) s.t.

Results by Sébastien Toussaint

© Jonathan Roorda