The Italian, who also won the International Cycling Union World Tour Classic event in 2015, attacked the peloton to bridge a gap to FDJ and French rival Thibaut Pinot on the climb to Civiglo.

He then broke clear on the descent before staying clear on the short but steep final climb to San Fermo della Battagli.

The Bahrain-Merida star eventually completed the 247 kilometres course in 6 hours 15min 29sec.

It marked the 50th win of the 2014 Tour de France winner's professional career.

The 32-year-old became the fifth rider to win the 112-year-old race twice in the last 12 years after two other Italians, Paolo Bettini in 2005 and 2006 and Damiano Cunego in 2007 and 2008.

Belgium's Philippe Gilbert also managed the same feat in 2009 and 2010 as did Spaniard Jaoquim Rodriguez in 2012 and 2013.

Pinot was caught by the chasing peloton on the final ascent but another Frenchman, Quick-Step Floors' Julian Alaphilippe eventually secured second place, 28 seconds back.

Team Sky's Italian Gianni Moscon finished a sprint a further 10 seconds back to snatch third, with Pinot fourth.

Colombia's 2016 winner Esteban Chaves was absent today after fracturing his shoulder in a crash at the Giro dell’Emilia last week.