Cadel settles for fifth

Australian cyclist Cadel Evans has just missed out on a podium finish in the final event of the spring classics season, crossing the line in fifth place in the Liege-Bastogne-Liege race on Monday (AEST).

Evans spent most of the 258km race chasing the leading pack, with controversial Kazakhstan rider Alexander Vinokourov taking the overall honours.

Russia's Alexandr Kolobnev was second, Spaniard Alejandro Valverde crossed in third and Philippe Gilbert also finished ahead of Evans.

"I was happy to get across to (Philippe) Gilbert and (Alejandro) Valverde without (Andy) Schleck and Alberto Contador," Evans said.

"It was a pity not to have enough numbers there at the end, but we've had a bit of a rough run with the loss of Karsten (Kroon)."

"We did have a couple of young guys here, nearly all of them racing Liege for the first time, and I was really impressed with the way they rode sensibly and maturely."

Vinokourov stunned a host of big names to win the 96th Liege-Bastogne-Liege race for the second time in his career.

Vinokourov, who returned to the sport last year after a two-year ban for doping, won the dash to the line to record his most significant victory since his return.

"It is magnificent. It is revenge. I dreamed of this," he said.

"I've returned stronger than before and I've shown everybody that 'Vino' is back."

"I've completed my punishment so I don't see why I shouldn't come back."