With 1km to go of the last spring Classic of the season, the Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Spaniard Joaquím Rodriguez (Katusha) looked back and saw Astana and BMC closing in and bringing danger men Nibali (Astana) and Gilbert (BMC) back to the front group.

Rodriguez didn’t hesitate and attacked. Michele Scarponi (Lampre-Merida) was the first to respond before Daniel Martin (Garmin-Sharp) leapfrogged the Lampre rider. Martin then took over and in the space of 500 meters the Irishman went from the sluggishness of Classics also-ran to Classics conqueror.

Despite finishing second, Rodriguez had few regrets afterwards. "I think I did an almost perfect race, thanks also to my team: we adopted a very smart strategy, in my opinion, and we did our best in order to win,” he explained. I started my rush in the best place, but Martin was able to catch me very quickly and pass me in the last hundred metres. At first, I thought it was Scarponi, so I thought I would have some chances at the final sprint: but when I realized it was Martin, and how easily he managed to catch me, I understood he would defeat me. Now I'll rest a little bit, then I'll get ready for Tour de France, my next goal".