Chaves helped spark the winning breakaway on the penultimate climb, the Selvino, together with compatriot Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale-Drapac) and Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale). They were joined late in the climb by Diego Rosa (Astana).
With little cooperation in the chasing group behind, the quartet reached the final climb, the Bergamo Alta, with 1:30 on the chasers and threw off the gloves.
Rosa pushed the pace on the steep cobbled section, but was countered by Chaves, who split the breakaway in two. Bardet was dropped, but Rosa fought back on.
Rosa led out the sprint a bit too early, and was passed just before the line by Chaves, with Uran taking third.
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Rider Name (Country) Team
Result
1
Esteban Chaves (Col) Orica-BikeExchange
6:26:36
2
Diego Rosa (Ita) Astana Pro Team
Row 1 - Cell 2
3
Rigoberto Uran (Col) Cannondale-Drapac
Row 2 - Cell 2
4
Romain Bardet (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale
0:00:06
5
Davide Villella (Ita) Cannondale-Drapac
0:01:19
6
Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar Team
0:01:24
7
Robert Gesink (Ned) Team LottoNl-Jumbo
Row 6 - Cell 2
8
Warren Barguil (Fra) Team Giant-Alpecin
Row 7 - Cell 2
9
Alessandro De Marchi (Ita) BMC Racing Team
Row 8 - Cell 2
10
Pierre-Roger Latour (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale
Row 9 - Cell 2
Il Lombardia falls back ahead of Worlds
Normally a chance for the World Champion to show off his rainbow jersey for the first time, this year's Il Lombardia, the final Monument of the season, comes the week before the UCI Road World Championships begin in Doha, Qatar.
The 'Race of the Falling Leaves' begins in Como, but the classic Madonna del Ghisallo climb is now the warm-up, coming just 65km into the 241km race.
It's the 11.6km Valico di Valcava ascent that really kicks off the heart of the race, beginning 131.6km into the race and going on for 11.6km. With gradients up to 17 per cent, it will certainly provide the first selection for the favourites.
The 6.5km Berbenno is dwarfed by the Sant'Antonio Abbandonato, Miragolo San Salvatore and Selvino climbs, which come back-to-back, cresting the Selvino with 28.3km to go. The final ascent, the Bergamo Alta, crests 3.1km before the finish line and mixes in cobbles and grades up to 12 per cent.
Last year's winner Vincenzo Nibali has opted out of the race after breaking his collarbone in the Olympic Games road race. He's replaced by Fabio Aru with the number 1 dossard.
Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale-Drapac) showed fine form in the finale of the Tre Valli Varesine after two strong rides in the Montreal and Quebec WorldTour races.
Etixx-Quickstep have a strong three-prong attack with Dan Martin, Julian Alaphilippe and Gianluca Brambilla. Also on the favourites list are Philippe Gilbert, Diego Ulissi, Bauke Mollema, Jarlinson Pantano and maybe even the newly un-retired Joaquim Rodriguez.
