It was held on 15 October 2011, over a distance of 241 km (149.8 mi), starting in Milan and ending in Lecco for the first time.

[1] Leopard Trek rider Oliver Zaugg won the race, having attacked on the final climb of Salita di Ello and stayed away until the end, winning a race for the first time in his professional career.

The two-time defending race winner and World Tour points leader Philippe Gilbert finished in eighth position, 16 seconds down on Zaugg.

[3] As the race was held under the auspices of the UCI World Tour, all eighteen ProTour teams were invited automatically.

Seven additional wildcard invitations were given – Acqua & Sapone, Androni Giocattoli, Colnago–CSF Inox, Farnese Vini–Neri Sottoli, FDJ, Geox–TMC and Team Europcar – to form the event's 25-team peloton.