Germany's John Degenkolb wins Milan-San Remo classic

MILAN (AP) — John Degenkolb sprinted to victory in the Milan-San Remo classic on Sunday, edging defending champion Alexander Kristoff on a wet and rainy course for the biggest win of his career.

Degenkolb burst through the middle in the closing meters to win the 293-kilometer (182-mile) race in 6 hours, 46 minutes, 16 seconds after Kristoff had started his sprint too early.

Kristoff was almost a bike length behind the German, with Michael Matthews third.

There were several crashes along the route including one on the final descent down the Poggio that took out three of the pre-race favorites in Philippe Gilbert, Zdenek Stybar and 2013 winner Gerald Ciolek.