Cyclists Valverde outfoxes rivals to win in Liege again

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2008

ANS, Belgium (AFP) — Spaniard Alejandro Valverde held his nerve in a thrilling finish to Liege-Bastogne-Liege to claim his second career victory in cycling's oldest one-day classic here on Sunday.

Valverde, runner-up last year to Italian Danilo Di Luca and winner in 2006, capped a tactically astute 261 km of racing in sunny conditions with a winning sprint inside the final 200 metres to leave 2004 champion Rebellin in second.

Luxembourg's Frank Schleck finished in third place - but will feel disappointed especially as his CSC team held all the tactical aces in an exciting final 10km of the race.

Some of the other big favourites - Australian Cadel Evans and Italian Damiano Cunego - failed to fulfil predictions and were left trailing inside the final 20km when...