MADRID (AFP) - Italy's Leonardo Bertagnoli of Liquigas shrugged off recent heart problems to win the San Sebastian classic race on Saturday, edging a sprint finish to see off local rider Juanma Garate and another Spaniard Alejandro Valverde.

Spanish Tour de France winner Alberto Contador did not compete in Saturday's race over 225km as Bertagnoli went one better than stablemate Stefano Garzelli, who placed second last year to Spaniard Xavier Florencio.

Bertagnoli, who had raced just a handful of days after a five-month break after heart problems were diagnosed, made his move for glory over the closing ten kilometres after he and the peloton had negotiated six climbs.

"Without a doubt this is the greatest win of my career by a distance," said the Italian, though he confessed to having been "a bit lucky" to negotiate the sprint in his favour.

Garate went with him as they broke clear from a two dozen-strong chasing pack of riders 10 kilometres from the finish and the Italian held on over the final few metres with other contenders including Valverde, Alessandro Ballan and Carlos Sastre in hot pursuit.