MADRID (AFP) - Italy's Leonardo Bertagnoli of Liquigas won the San Sebastian classic race on Saturday, edging a sprint finish at the end of a 225km ride 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 as Bertagnoli went one better than stablemate Stefano Garzelli, who placed second last year to Spaniard Xavier Florencio.

Also missing from Saturday's field was Dane Michael Rasmussen, mired in controversy after missing a series of out of competition drug tests which precipitated his sacking by Rabobank.

Bertagnoli made his move for glory over the closing ten kilometres after he and the peloton had negotiated six climbs - three third categories, two of second category and one first.

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.