The Classic of the Falling Leaves is fast earning a reputation as the Classic of the Falling Rain as the autumnal weather in Lombardy ensured a punishing route was made even tougher.

However, the rain could not stop Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) from soloing to victory to move top of the UCI WorldTour rankings – just as he did 12 months ago.

Purito dropped the hammer on the final climb, the ascent of Villa Vergano, to distance a much-reduced peloton which also contained Alejandro Valverde, Nairo Quintana, Rui Costa (all Movistar) and Dan Martin (Garmin-Sharp).

See how the action unfolded in the final Monument race of the season in this gallery of images from UCI WorldTour photographer Stefano Sirotti.