Alejandro Valverde couldn’t catch up with Dan Martin of Garmin-Sharp in Bergamo and finishes 2nd in Il Lombardia for the second year on a row. Valverde has two monuments wins after his two victories in Liege-Bastogne-Liege, he has never won Il Lombardia.

The Movistar team leader had his team-mates working at the front of the peloton for parts of the 256 km route. The route included seven climbs and a short final climb to Citta Alta. The latter is always the place for some late-race attakcs.

Tim Wellens of Lotto-Belisol was the last man of the initial breakaway was caught with only 3 km to go. After Wellens was caught Irishman Dan Martin began his sprint and the Spaniard Valverde couldn’t follow the strong rider.

“I had the legs to win the race and I’m a bit sad about that, but nothing is taken for granted in pro cycling. Everyone was looking at me when Martin attacked, they left all responsibility on my shoulders to go after him,” he told the Movistar team.

“I just couldn’t control everything in the end and we had to sprint for 2nd place, which we achieved. Still, I’m happy about today’s result: the team worked well, I accomplished the goal of getting back into the WorldTour lead.”

“This second place is a tribute to my whole family and my kids, especially the newborn Natalia. These weren’t easy days when it comes to resting: I was always going everywhere to look after my wife and the kids and I could only get to Italy on Saturday evening. The effort was worth, though. Lombardy is a really beautiful race, and though I’m not happy I couldn’t win it this time, surely there will be more chances to take that grudge off.”