Dekker claims World Cup victory

Di Luca (r) edges out fellow Italian Giuliano Figueras

Danilo di Luca won a sprint finish to claim the Tour of Lombardy, with Dutchman Erik Dekker taking the overall World Cup honours.

Di Luca was part of a break that escaped from the peloton with 30km to go and the Italian had too much speed for Giuliano Figueras and Michael Boogerd at the end of the 160-mile event.

Figueras finished second and Boogerd third, with Richard Virenque finally finishing fourth after struggling on the last climb of the day.

Di Luca attempted to go it alone as the finish approached.

The young Italian was reeled in only a kilometre from the line, but dominated the final sprint.

I'm already thinking towards the Tour de France in 2002

Danilo di Luca

"In the sprint I just tried to stay disciplined, and kept my head down to stop from looking at the finish line," said Di Luca.

"If it had been a few degrees warmer it wouldn't have done any harm," he joked.

"My legs felt fine out there but I was also suffering from the cold. Now I'm already thinking towards the Tour de France in 2002."

Dekker was also naturally delighted: "After winning the Amstel I decided to place all my bets on winning the World Cup," said Dekker.

"The World Cup is a whole mix of different races. To win it you have to be prepared to spend a lot of energy and be able to concentrate.

"Next year I'm not so sure if it will be an objective - I'll first have to win a race then take it from there."

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Tour of Lombardy result

1. Danilo di Luca (Ita) Cantina Tollo 6hr 38min 29sec
2. Giuliano Figueras (Ita) same time
3. Michael Boogerd (Ned) at 1sec
4. Richard Virenque (Fra) 4
5. Michele Bartoli (Ita) 1:25
6. Beat Zberg (Swi) same time
7. Maximilian Sciandri (Gbr) 1:26
8. Wladimir Belli (Ita) 1:27
9. Niklas Axelsson (Swe) 1:32
10. Francisco Mancebo (Spa) 2:25

Final World Cup standings

1. Erik Dekker (Ned) 331 pts
2. Erik Zabel (Ger) 250
3. Romans Vainsteins (Lat) 229
4. Paolo Bettini (Ita) 201
5. Davide Rebellin (Ita) 170
6. Francesco Casagrande (Ita) 156
7. Oscar Camenzind (Swi) 141
8. Gianluca Bortolami (Ita) 130
9. Johan Museeuw (Bel) 116
10. Michele Bartoli (Ita) 101