The British sprinter Mark Cavendish has won the Milan-San Remo cycling race at his first attempt as Lance Armstrong finished well off the pace.
The 23-year-old Brit outpowered German Heinrich Haussler to notch his first major Classic victory by less than half a wheel after 298 kilometres of racing. Norwegian Thor Hushovd was third.
Seven-times Tour de France winner Armstrong lost touch with the leading pack on the Cipressa climb around two thirds along the course in his first European race since coming out of retirement this year.
The 37-year-old American is preparing for May's Giro D'Italia.
