Freire conquers Primavera

The 31-year-old Spaniard overpowered a strong Milram train, working for former winners Erik Zabel and Alessandro Petacchi, shattering the sea of blue in the final 200m.

Australian Allan Davis and Belgian Tom Boonen tried to sneak behind the 2004 victor's wheel in the final stretch, but Freire easily won by a full bike's length in front of Davis with the 2005 world champion in third.

Robbie McEwen was fourth in front of compatriot Stuart O'Grady to put three Aussies in the top-five, while four-time victor Zabel was relegated to sixth and 2005 winner Petacchi was dropped to eighth.

Freire, who beat Zabel and O'Grady in a final sprint to win season's opening spring classic in 2004, is one of two Spaniards to have ever won the 'Primavera,' the longest classic on the season's calendar.

"I felt very good and knew I could win," Freire said.

"I decided to get behind Petacchi for the final kilometre because I knew his team would lead him out and that it was the best position. I had the legs, the position and even had the space to get past Petacchi, so it was a perfect sprint."

Freire has recovered from an injury-plagued 2006 and was easily the fastest sprinter in the race.

"I had a lot of problems with my neck in 2006 and hardly raced after the Tour de France but I always try to think positively and I always had faith in myself," he said.

"After getting over my problems, I started training earlier this winter and so I think I'm stronger and fitter than in the past."

It was Freire's 53rd win of his 10-year professional career but the Spaniard said his first world road race title in 1999 was his best victory.

"This is a great win but can't be compared to my first world title," said Freire, who was also world champion in 2001 and 2004.

"I'd say that even if I won the Tour de France, because when I won in 1999 it changed my life. I'd had lots of injury problems it was only my second win as a professional."