Team Katusha's Joaquim Rodriguez became the first Spaniard to win Italy’s Giro di Lombardia classic with a gutsy ride in torrential rain earlier this afternoon.

Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) rides to victory in Giro di Lombardia classic ahead of Euskaltel-Euskadi's Samuel Sanchez and Rigoberto Uran of Team Sky Procycling.

The 251 kilometer 2012 Giro di Lombardia - or Tour of Lombardy - from Bergamo to Lecco, will be the first chance for the newly crowned World Champion Philippe Gilbert to wear his new rainbow jersey.