He said: “Today is a dream come true. Claudio Corti, who was the manager of Team Colombia, gave me the love for Italian cycling.

“It’s a big thing for me to become the first non-European to win Il Lombardia and the first Colombian to win a monument.

“In the last kilometre I was scared to not win, but had I come second or third I knew I had done my best anyway.

“I’m a Grand Tour specialist and I’ve had a 2016 season in which I reached the goals I had at the beginning of the year, but if there’s a one-day race that has a special place in my heart and it’s this one.”

The race stayed compact for much of the first hour of racing, with a break only sticking on the Madonna di Ghisallo climb – Stefan Denifl (IAM Cycling) leading the way over the top, with Damiano Caruso (BMC Racing), Mickael Cherel (Ag2r-La Mondiale) and Rudy Molard (Cofidis) for company.

The riders in the front group appeared reluctant to work for each other, almost awaiting an attack, but when Chaves forced the pace on the Selvino, only Uran and Bardet could go with him.

Rosa bridged across, first trying to help Aru to bridge before taking on the mantle for Astana himself, and the quartet’s lead was more than a minute as they hit the final, shorter climb.

Chaves attacked again, with only Uran able to follow, but a lack of co-operation between the two Colombians nearly cost them both the shot at victory as Rosa surged back.

His effort came up just short, however, as Chaves stole a march in the sprint to the line to seal a famous victory.

Giro di Lombardia 2016: result

1) Johan Esteban Chaves (COL) – Orica-BikeExchange – 6.26.36hrs
2) Diego Rosa (ITA) – Astana – ST
3) Rigoberto Uran (COL) – Cannondale-Drapac
4) Romain Bardet (FRA) – Ag2r- La Mondiale +6”
5) Davide Villella (ITA) – Cannondale-Drapac +1.19
6) Alejandro Valverde (ESP) – Movistar +1.24
7) Robert Gesink (NED) – LottoNL-Jumbo – ST
8) Warren Barguil (FRA) – Giant-Alpecin
9) Alessandro de Marchi (ITA) – BMC Racing
10) Pierre Latour (FRA) – Ag2r-La Mondiale