Philippe Gilbert attacked on the final ascent of the Cauberg to win the World Championships.
The Belgian had endured a season to forget after failing to win a Classic but began to show signs of his old form with two victories at the Vuelta a Espana earlier in September.
And the 30-year-old rode away from his rivals on the deciding climb in Limburg to replace Mark Cavendish as world champion. Here’s how the race unfolded.
Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins signs on ahead of the 261km race
The peloton headed out on a 105km ride through southern Limburg before tackling ten laps of a finishing circuit which included the Cauberg climb shortly before the finish
Outgoing world champion Mark Cavendish trails the peloton after completing early pace-setting duties for Great Britain leader Jonathan Tiernan-Locke
Gilbert attacks on the final ascent of the Cauberg
Edvald Boasson Hagen (Norway) and Alejandro Valverde (Spain) go in pursuit of the Belgian
But there’s no catching Gilbert
The new owner of the rainbow jersey
The podium: Gilbert, Boasson Hagen and Valverde
