Philippe Gilbert has been crowned World Road Race Champion after a late break for glory proved successful in Limburg.
Belgian star seals rainbow jersey in Holland
Philippe Gilbert has been crowned World Road Race Champion after a late break for glory proved successful in Limburg.
The Belgian rider came home four seconds ahead of Norway's Edvald Boasson Hagen after the 261km race was blown apart on the final climb of the Cauberg.
The course was ideal for Gilbert, and his team-mates kept him well protected over the early kilometres as a large breakaway group built a lead of over five minutes.
But the field was back together as the action neared its conclusion, despite an effort from Britain's Ian Stannard and American rider Andrew Talansky.
Gilbert moved alongside Vincenzo Nibali (Italy) on the final slopes and his dig built a lead that would prove too much for the others to bridge.
The 30-year-old had time to celebrate before crossing the line to emulate legendary compatriot Eddy Merckx, who also won a world championship on Dutch soil back in 1967.
Sprint
Boasson Hagen beat Spaniard Alejandro Valverde in the sprint for second, with the remnants of the leading group coming home just behind, among them Jonathan Tiernan-Locke who proved best of the British team in 19th place.
Tiernan-Locke and Stannard were the only British riders left in the lead group with Mark Cavendish abandoning the race more than 100km from the end, with Bradley Wiggins, Alex Dowsett and Chris Froome also climbing off their bikes.
"I went on the steepest part of the Cauberg and totally focused on my effort," Gilbert told the event's official website.
"I really enjoyed all the fans and knew my family and friends are here. A fantastic feeling.
"It's hard to realise I'm the world champion. I'll be wearing the jersey for the first time in Piemonte, that's going to be a great moment. My form was good after the Tour de France where I worked for my team-mates.
"I built up towards the Olympics and found real strength in the Vuelta. So that gave me confidence."
