Fabian Cancellara took victory in the Monte Pasche Eroica as he edged out Alessandro Ballan in the closing sprint.

The CSC rider attacked with 12 kilometres to go and was chased by 2007 Tour of Flanders winner Ballan.

The two worked together to stay ahead of the chasing pack but it was the Swiss man who managed to seal the victory.

It was Cancellara's second big win over tough terrain after his success in the 2006 Paris-Roubaix.

Coming in third was Linus Gerdemann as he led the chasing pack home 15 seconds after the leaders.

World champion Paolo Bettini of Quick Step had another tough day however, as he finished last, and the Italian has clearly not fully recovered from his nasty crash in last weekend's Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne.

Eurosport