Schleck impresses with Liege win

Luxembourg's Andy Schleck produced a powerful solo breakaway to beat a strong field and win the Liege-Bastogne-Liege one-day classic.

The 23-year-old Saxo-Bank rider beat Spain's Joaquim Rodriguez into a distant second place, while Italy's Davide Rebellin finished third.

Schleck, the best young rider in last year's Tour de France, broke clear of his rivals with 20km to go.

And nobody could live with his pace as he won by more than a minute.

Philippe Gilbert had made much of the running, but the Belgian had no answer when Schleck - who finished fourth last year - decided to make his move in the late stages.

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Schleck crossed the line in a time of six hours, 34 minutes and 33 seconds, with Rodriguez one minute 11 seconds behind.

"I attacked and continued pushing," said Schleck, after the biggest win of his career.

"I was super strong and was really motivated. Today was my day.

"But I would never have won without my team-mates. They worked really well behind."

Schleck - the first winner of the race from Luxembourg since Marcel Ernzer in 1954 - was in fine form after coming second to Rebellin in the Fleche Wallonne on Wednesday.