Rebellin captures third Fleche Wallonne win

ITALY'S Davide Rebellin timed his sprint finish to perfection to capture his third Fleche Wallonne crown in six years.

The Serramenti Diquigiovanni rider sat on the shoulder of late front runner Cadel Evans of Australia, before making his move with 200 metres to go to claim the 73rd edition of the first of the Ardennes Classics.

Rebellin, who could only manage sixth place last time out, roared home in front of Luxembourg's Andy Schleck, who was second, and compatriot Damiano Cunego, who was third.

France's Christophe Moreau and Japan's Fumiyuki Beppu were the early leaders of the 195.5-km race, and that soon become one as Beppu could not live with the Frenchman.

Moreau's lead lasted until just under 40km to go, but the chasing pack reeled him, opening the way for Columbia's Jose Serpa to chance his arm.

Serpa opened up a lead of approximately 200m but with 16km to go he fell away from the peleton, leaving Evans to lead a breakaway pack.

The Australian appeared to have the upper hand but Rebellin, aged 37, showed all his years of experience to snatch victory.

The Italian is one of only six riders to claim victory in both the Ardennes Classics (the Fleche Wallonne and the Liege-Bastogne-Liege) in one year, having done so in 2004, and will look to do so again this month.

Earlier in the day, 2006 Holland's world road race champion Marianne Vos picked up victory in the women's race ahead of Sweden's Emma Johansson.