Every sprinter dreams of winning Milan-San Remo, one of only five “Monuments” in cycling’s annual one-day Classics. Now, after a brilliant ride at the 101st edition of the Italian race known as La Primavera, Rabobank’s Oscar Freire has three Milan-San Remo titles to his name.

Freire played it perfectly to win the longest race on the UCI calendar, staying in contention throughout the grueling 298-kilometer race, and then powering his Giant TCR Advanced SL to victory on the famed Via Roma finishing stretch in San Remo.

Freire’s Rabobank teammates worked for him in the early stages of the seven-hour race, and the Spaniard took care of the rest. He marked the race favorites over the critical Cipressa and Poggio climbs, which both occur in the final 25 kilometers, and then fought for position in the final selection of about 25 riders.

The cagey Spanish veteran put himself right behind a lead-out train being set up by Daniel Bennati’s Liquigas team, and then made an explosive acceleration at exactly the right time. Freire then held off race favorites Tom Boonen of Belgium and Alessandro Petacchi of Italy, who finished second and third respectively.