Valverde wins in sprint finish

Alejandro Valverde became the first Spanish rider to win the Liege-Bastogne-Liege when he outsprinted Italians Paolo Bettini and Damiano Cunego in the last stretch of the 262km Pro Tour classic yesterday.

Valverde, already winner of the Fleche Wallonne on Wednesday, claimed a superb double four days later in the oldest one-day classic in cycling.

Ten men, including all the favourites, reached the closing stages in the lead bunch and the Caisse d'Epargne team leader, the world championship silver medal winner last year, was by far the strongest.

Olympic champion Bettini, who has yet to win a race in 2006, had to be content with second place ahead of former Giro winner Cunego.

The race was the last major Spring classic on the calendar before the riders start tackling the big stage races. The Tour de Romandie this week will be an appetiser before the Giro d'Italia, which starts on May 6.