COMO, Italy (AFP) - Italian Damiano Cunego of the Lampre team won the final Pro Tour race of the season, the Tour of Lombardy here on Saturday over 242km from Varese to Como.

Cunego, 26, won a sprint finish ahead of compatriot Riccardo Ricco to lift the trophy for the second time after 2004, the same year he also won the Tour of Italy.

The pair broke away seven kilometres from the line to finish ahead of a small group lead by last year's runner-up Samuel Sanchez of Spain.

"This season I've had several placings but I knew I could win one," said Cunego. "This win is much better than the one in 2004 when I won 13 races. I wanted it so much, I made a lot of sacrifices and I've had my recompense."

Race favourite Frank Schleck of Luxembourg finished fourth after a fall 10km from the finish.

Italy's world champion and two-time defending champion Paolo Bettini fell behind on the Ghisallo climb, 50km from the finish.

Australian Cadel Evans claimed the overall Pro Tour title, following the doping ban handed out to Italian Tour of Italy champion Danilo Di Luca earlier in the week.