World Cycling Championships 2017 Bergen, Norway: Sagan bests Kristoff by millimetres, Matthews third

The men's road race at the Worlds in Bergen amounts to 276.5 kilometres. The race is played out on a challenging course with almost 4,000 vertical metres, yet the race boils down to a bunch sprint with Peter Sagan powering to a brand new rainbow jersey. Alexander Kristoff and Michael Matthews round out the podium. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 2017 Worlds road race

1. Peter Sagan (Slv)
2. Alexander Kristoff (nor) s.t.
3. Michael Matthews (aus) s.t.
4. Matteo Trentin (ita) s.t.
5. Ben Swift (gbr) s.t.
6. Greg Van Avermaet (bel) s.t.
7. Michael Albasini (swi) s.t.
8. Fernando Gaviria (col) s.t.
9. Alexey Lutzenko (kaz) s.t.
10. Julian Alaphilippe (fra) s.t.

Race report
The tallest rider in the pack is the first attacker at the Worlds in Bergen. Conor Dunne leaves the peloton with Sean McKenna en Elchin Asadov on his wheel. Andrey Amador, Salah Eddine Mraouni, Kim Magnusson, Matti Manninen, Willie Smit, Eugert Zhupa en Alexey Vermeulen rejoin them and the ten race to a maximum gap of 10 minutes. Manninen is the first rider to be dropped, Asadov, Zhupa and Mraouni are next. The other leaders are reeled in with 83 kms remaining.

Marco Halller attacks with 70 kms left on Salmon Hill. Tim Wellens chases him down, while Alessandro De Marchi, Jarlinson Pantano, David de la Cruz, Jack Haig, Odd Christian Eiking, Heinrich Haussler and Lars Boom bridge across, too.

On the penultimate climb of Salmon Hill Wellens, Haig, De la Cruz and Eiking are the last men standing. Yet, the main group is close behind and at the end of the descent it’s gruppo compatto again. Approximately sixty riders pass the line with one lap left.

On Salmon Hill Bettiol and Valgren Andersen attack, but Alaphilippe and Moscon take over. They are first to crest and on the cobbles with 5 kms left Alaphilippe goes solo. The Frenchman is caught before a flurry of attacks turns out to be unsuccessful. Christopher Juul Jensen is the last to be caught in the final 500 metres. In the ensuing sprint Peter Sagan claims his third consecutive World Championship title. Alexander Kristoff takes silver and Michael Matthews bronze.