Julian Arredondo and Frank Schleck both animated the finale of today's Milan-Sanremo but both missed the right attack that delivered Giampaolo Caruso the win. However, both were pleased with their sensations ahead of Sunday's Il Lombardia.

The 193.5-kilometer parcours of the Milano-Torino semi-classic was predominantly flat until the finish at the basilica of Superga on the outskirts of Turin. The steep four-kilometer Superga ascent was tackled twice in the final 20 kilometers, and the second time up ended the race - a leg-breaking finish that quickly sorted the strongest legs.

Despite 170 kilometers of flat roads, and a four-man escape that held its advantage to Superga, the Italian semi-classic ended with a battle amongst the climbers.

Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo), his first race after his victory in the Vuelta a España, and rival Fabio Aru (Astana) were the marked favorites for the final climb, but with five kilometers to go two riders attacked and moved clear: Giampaolo Caruso (Katusha) and Rinaldo Nocentini (AG2R La Mondiale) held off the chase and claimed the top two steps of the podium.

Caruso took the win a few seconds ahead of Nocentini, with his teammate Daniel Moreno the first of the chase group to settle the final podium spot. Aru came across the finish for fourth, and Contador sixth.

Fränk Schleck and Julian Arredondo were with the select front group up the final climb, and both attacked in efforts to bridge to the escapees. But their attacks were neutralized; the chase group’s lack of cohesion allowed the two riders ahead to ride to the finish and fight the win.

Schleck's effrots cost him and he finished in ninth, and Arredondo moments later in 16th.

The tactics amongst the favorites on the final climb curtailed a better result for Trek Factory Racing, but the team showed plenty of spunk when the race hit its crescendo and gives them a boost ahead of the final Monument of the season, the Giro di Lombardia Sunday.

"Our plan was to have a result with Fränk," sports director Adriano Baffi said. "Arredondo had a free card to play because he is getting a bit better after the Vuelta, but we still were unsure of his form, and the others were looking to get in a breakaway. The start was very fast, and four guys were in the break so the race was under control. When we hit the two local circuits with the Superga climb first Arredondo was attacking on the climb, then [Fabio] Felline attacked with two others. At the bottom of the final climb with five kilometers to go is when Caruso and Nocentini went.

"Arredondo, then Fränk tried to reach the two riders but in the end the group was always together and never caught them back.  

We were very good today; Frank tried two or three times to win the race on the last climb, and both Fränk and Julian finished in the small group behind. Julian was very happy after the race to have his good sensations back, and this is also promising for Sunday.”