Colombian Esteban Chaves has been hampered by cramps within the final eight kilometres of Il Lombardia having ridden himself into serious contention in the final monument of the 2015 season.

Chaves, who returned to racing after his breakthrough fifth place at the Vuelta a Espana, put in an attack to chase sole leader Vincenzo Nibali (Astana Pro Team) at the start of the final climb but immediately dropped out of contention.

Nibali went on to win, Chaves holding on bravely for eighth place as Orica-GreenEDGE’s top finisher.

“Top ten in one race in really good,” Chaves said. “But when you stay really close to first position and you can’t win, it’s disappointing. Today when I tried to attack to close the gap to Nibali, (I suffered) cramps in my legs on the last climb.

"It is really a good season even if it is not over yet because I'll do Abu Dhabi. However, the second part of the season is really good for me and for the team. I am ready for the upcoming seasons."

Starting alongside talented young climbers Adam and Simon Yates, Chaves was the strongest amongst three options for Orica-GreenEDGE on a brutal 245km day of racing.

“Right from the finish of the Tour of Spain, Esteban was talking about this race, he was very excited about it,” sport director Neil Stephens said.

"We were lucky to be able to start with three guys that could potentially be around the mark today and the best on the day was Esteban. He gave it his best.

"He was cramping on the last climb and had to stop pedaling but it was great he was able to fight through and finish in the top ten.”

Stephens credited his motivation to take advantage of strong form off a successful Vuelta a Espana campaign.

“Esteban knows after Grand Tours in the past that he has had good form,” Stephens said. “He was good in China last year and he was good after the Giro this year. Now we have seen he is good after the Vuelta as well.”