The result means the Belgian rider is now the joint-record holder for the most number of victories at this classic - at the age of 23.

Evenepoel, who first won this event in 2019 and began the 230.3km course through the Basque Country as defending champion, was unable to match the manner of his two previous successes, where he finished well clear of the pack.

On this occasion, riding for Soudal-Quick-Step, he had to work all the way to the line, crossing in 5hr 30min 59sec, with his Spanish rival and Basque country rider - representing Bahrain Victorious - being given the same time.

Aleksandr Vlasov of Bora-Hansgrohe was third at +28sec, with 2021 winner Neilson Powless of the United States fourth at +02.50.

There was an early scare for Evenepoel when he crashed in the neutralised zone, but fortunately he was unhurt.

Evenepoel had arrived at the foot of the final club to the summit of the Murgil with Bilbao and Vlasov sharing a two-minute lead over the main peleton.

Despite making an early push to move clear, he was overtaken by the local rider, whose speed caused Vlasov to drop away.

After reaching the summit together they moved to an explosive conclusion, with Bilbao leading out the sprint and Evenpoel, eventually, finding the way to win by the length of a bike.

"I saw that only Pello was with me, and I know he’s fast," Evenepoel said.

"I was actually a bit surprised by my sprint, because Pello is one of the fastest climbers of the bunch.

"I think I still had super-good legs for the last sprint."