Image 1 of 93 Vincenzo Nibali (Italy) (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 2 of 93 The peloton makes its way up the Cauberg. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 3 of 93 The peloton ascends the Cauberg. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 4 of 93 Rinaldo Nocentini (Italy) (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 5 of 93 Huge crowds cheer on the leaders on the Cauberg. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 6 of 93 Philippe Gilbert (Belgium) bides his time in the peloton. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 7 of 93 2012 world champion Philippe Gilbert (Belgium) (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 8 of 93 Vincenzo Nibali (Italy) drives the pace early on the final ascent of the Cauberg while Philippe Gilbert (Belgium) and Alejandro Valverde (Spain) wait to pounce. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 9 of 93 Alberto Contador (Spain) leads Diego Ulissi (Italy) (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 10 of 93 The peloton begins its ascent of the Cauberg. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 11 of 93 Silver medalist Edvald Boasson Hagen (Norway) (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 12 of 93 Philippe Gilbert (Belgium) was all smiles in the rainbow jersey (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 13 of 93 Joaquim Rodriguez (Spain) (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 14 of 93 A sea of humanity awaited the peloton each time up the Cauberg. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 15 of 93 Laurens Ten Dam (Netherlands) at the head of the peloton. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 16 of 93 Edvald Boasson Hagen earned the silver medal. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 17 of 93 Rigoberto Uran (Colombia) (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 18 of 93 Great Britain set tempo early in the world championship race. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 19 of 93 Alberto Contador (Spain) gives it full gas on the Cauberg. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 20 of 93 Philippe Gilbert (Belgium) manages to crack a smile while en route to a world championship. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 21 of 93 John Degenkolb (Germany) would finish just out of the medals in fourth place. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 22 of 93 Philippe Gilbert (Belgium) en route to a road world championship. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 23 of 93 Luca Paolini (Italy) buries himself at the head of the peloton to set up teammate Vincenzo Nibali in the finale. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 24 of 93 Philippe Gilbert (Belgium) proudly wears the rainbow jersey. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 25 of 93 Belgium's Tom Boonen and Philippe Gilbert. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 26 of 93 2011 world champion Mark Cavendish worked hard early in the race for his Great Britain team and then withdrew from the race. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 27 of 93 Alejandro Valverde (Spain) finished in third place. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 28 of 93 Philippe Gilbert (Belgium) makes his winning move on the Cauberg. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 29 of 93 Belgium's Tom Boonen and Philippe Gilbert in conversation. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 30 of 93 Philippe Gilbert (Belgium) has dropped the competition on the final ascent of the Cauberg. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 31 of 93 Jonathan Tiernan-Locke (Great Britain) put in a solid Worlds performance. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 32 of 93 Alberto Contador (Spain) pushes the pace on the Cauberg. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 33 of 93 The men's world championship peloton in action. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 34 of 93 The peloton makes the left hand turn onto the Cauberg. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 35 of 93 Vincenzo Nibali (Italy) on the final ascent of the Cauberg with Philippe Gilbert (Belgium) ready to pounce. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 36 of 93 Bronze medalist Alejandro Valverde (Spain) (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 37 of 93 Marco Marcato (Italy) (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 38 of 93 Philippe Gilbert turned around his 2012 with a world championship gold medal. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 39 of 93 Philippe Gilbert (Belgium) with his world championship gold medal. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 40 of 93 Philippe Gilbert found his form of old and rocketed away from his rivals on the Cauberg. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 41 of 93 2012 road Worlds podium (L-R): Edvald Boasson Hagen, Philippe Gilbert and Alejandro Valverde (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 42 of 93 Philippe Gilbert (Belgium) attacked on the final ascent of the Cauberg and soloed to a world championship title. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 43 of 93 Juan Antonio Flecha (Spain) leads the peloton (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 44 of 93 Gilbert on the attack on the Cauberg (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 45 of 93 Boasson Hagen and Valverde watched each other instead of chasing Gilbert (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 46 of 93 The windmill is a landmark on the circuit (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 47 of 93 Out in the Limburg countryside on the back of the course (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 48 of 93 The peloton climbs the Cauberg (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 49 of 93 The Cauberg was climbed 11 times during the race (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 50 of 93 There were huge crowds on the Cauberg (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 51 of 93 Alberto Contador (Spain) was very aggressive for his teammates (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 52 of 93 Thomas Voeckler (France) pulls a face on the Cauberg (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 53 of 93 Nicolas Roche (Ireland) goes deep on the Cauberg (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 54 of 93 Philippe Gilbert ceelbrates as Boasson Hagen acceleratesto secure second place (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 55 of 93 Philippe Gilbert celebrated in the shadow of the Belgian and Flemish flags (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 56 of 93 Philippe Gilbert (Belgium) celebrates winning the world title (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 57 of 93 Edvald Boasson Hagen (Norway) (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 58 of 93 Gilbert was thrilled to pull on the rainbow jersey (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 59 of 93 Gilbert enjoys his moment on the podium (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 60 of 93 Philippe Gilbert signs on (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 61 of 93 UCI President Pat McQuiad joins Boasson Hagen, Gilbert and Valverde on the podium (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 62 of 93 Bradley Wiggins (Great Britain) (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 63 of 93 Outgoing world champion Mark Cavendish (Great Britain) (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 64 of 93 Oscar Freire (Spain) was emotional before the race (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 65 of 93 Oscar Freire (Spain) waves to the crowd in what would be his last ever race (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 66 of 93 Valverde waves to the crowd (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 67 of 93 Philippe Gilbert (Belgium) celebrates his victory at the 2012 road world chamionship in Valkenburg. (Image credit: AFP) Image 68 of 93 The elite men's world championship road race is underway. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 69 of 93 The huge crowds celebrate with Gilbert (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 70 of 93 Philippe Gilbert (Belgium) celebrates as he crosses the line (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 71 of 93 Philippe Gilbert shows off his rainbow jersey (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 72 of 93 Philippe Gilbert (Belgium) shows off his gold medal (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 73 of 93 Gilbert takes centre stage between Boasson Hagen and Valverde (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 74 of 93 The podium: Edvald Boasson Hagen (Norway), Philippe Gilbert (Belgium) and Alejandro Valverde (Spain) (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 75 of 93 Gilbert celebrates as he prepares to pull on the rainbow jersey (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 76 of 93 Philippe Gilbert (Belgium) is the 2012 world champion after he rode away from the peloton on the final ascent of the Cauberg. (Image credit: AFP) Image 77 of 93 Outgoing world champion Mark Cavendish and his Great Britain teammates line up on the front at the start line. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 78 of 93 Alberto Contador has a chat with UCI president Pat McQuaid prior to the Elite men's world championship road race. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 79 of 93 Roman Kreuziger (Czech Republic) (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 80 of 93 Although Peter Sagan (Slovakia) has downplayed his fitness, he can't be counted out in the finale. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 81 of 93 Alberto Contador (Spain) (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 82 of 93 Bradley Wiggins (Great Britain) awaits the start of the world championship road race. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 83 of 93 Spain's Joaquim Rodriguez and Alberto Contador on the start line. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 84 of 93 The powerhouse Spanish team has plenty of options for the world championship road race. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 85 of 93 Vincenzo Nibali (Italy) (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 86 of 93 Bradley Wiggins (Great Britain) heads to the sign-in stage. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 87 of 93 Big crowds see the Elite men's peloton off at the start of their world championship road race. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 88 of 93 A calm and collected Tom Boonen (Belgium) on the start line. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 89 of 93 Tom Boonen (Belgium) is on form and may add another world title to his palmares at the day's conclusion. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 90 of 93 2011 world champion Mark Cavendish (Great Britain) heads to the start. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 91 of 93 Alejandro Valverde (Spain) is expected to be a contender for the world championship today. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 92 of 93 The Italian team is introduced. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 93 of 93 Chris Froome (Great Britain) (Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Philippe Gilbert (Belgium) pulled on cycling's rainbow jersey with a perfectly-timed attack to win the 2012 world championships in Valkenburg, Holland. The Belgian attacked on the final ascent of the Cauberg, distancing a select group of pre-race favourites. Edvald Boasson Hagan (Norway) and Alejandro Valverde (Spain) rounded out the medals, while defending champion Mark Cavendish (Great Britain) abandoned after working for his team in the first half of the race.

The most decisive move of the race predictably came on the Cauberg, where Italy, through Luca Paolini, had looked to set up Vincenzo Nibali. The Italians' effort, however, ran out of steam, with Gilbert attacking in the big ring as his rivals struggled on the climb's punishing slope.

Although Alexandr Kolobnev (Russian Federation), Boasson Hagen and Valverde attempted to organise a chase they were unable to reel in the unstoppable Gilbert, who in the space of a matter of weeks has transformed his below-par season into a triumph.

"It's hard to realize what happened. The Belgians did outstanding work. We deserved to win this title," the winner said at the finish. "I was placed excellently [on the climb]. I looked back quickly and then took off. I still don't realize that I am world champion."

While Belgium celebrated its first rainbow jersey since Tom Boonen's win in 2005, Valverde and Spain were left licking their wounds having proved the most aggressive team in the race. Their stellar line-up of stars initiated each major attack in the race but Valverde, who has now been on the podium four times, could only manage third.

Norway's Boasson Hagen, who clipped away from Valverde inside the final 500 meters, praised both his teammates and the eventual winner. "It was very good to get second place, but we were close to gold," said Boasson Hagen. "Gabba (Gabriel Rasch, ed.) and Lars Petter (Nordhaug) rode well and did a great job. I am very grateful. Gilbert was very strong and there was nothing I could do."

Early encounters

After a week of racing the 2012 world championship’s final event began almost as if the 2011 race had never ended: with Mark Cavendish and his Great Britain team controlling the peloton in the early stages. Wearing dossard number 1, Cavendish had ruled himself out of an ever-expanding list of favourites due to the climbing incorporated in this year’s race. The 267km course featured a 105km jaunt through southern Limburg before tackling ten laps of the now familiar circuit course with the infamous Cauberg's crest situated 1.7 kilometres from the finish.

Although early attacks rained down, it was Great Britain who marshalled the peloton. Cavendish, along with Alex Dowsett, eventually allowed a group of Pablo Lastras (Spain), Dario Cataldo (Italy), Timothy Duggan and Alex Howes (USA), Jerome Coppel (France), Winner Anacona (Colombia), Luka Mezgec (Slovenia), Vladimir Isaichev (Russia), Vitaliy Buts (Ukraine), Fabricio Ferrari (Uruguay) and Gatis Smukulis (Latvia) to escape but the defending nation continued their pace setting, despite the pressure being on the shoulders of the home nation.

By the time the race came to life and reached the Cauberg for the first time the gap was at a steady 3:28. It was there that the Spanish played their first of many cards. Despite an earlier crash for Oscar Freire, the Armada looked an impregnable team of guile and diversity. The only question appeared to be whether they had too many leaders. But it was one of their most reliable workhorses in Juan Antonio Flecha who lit the fuse, sparking a move that included Stephen Cummings (Great Britain) Rinaldo Nocentini (Italy), Gianni Meersman (Belgium), Michael Matthews (Australia), Maxime Bouet (France),Michael Schär (Switzerland), Fumiyuki Beppu (Japan), and Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark).

It sparked a reaction from Belgium – with their two leaders in Gilbert and Boonen – sheltered behind a line of blue jersey. The increase in pace saw Cavendish retire but just as one world champion pulled out, one candidate for today’s victory, Alberto Contador, attacked.

The Spaniard used the Cauberg to ignite panic in the bunch, with Robert Gesink and Thomas Voeckler among a handful of riders who were able to keep pace.

Merging powers

Eventually Flecha’s group caught the leaders, before Contador and his collaborators joined too. It created a group of nearly thirty riders with Pablo Lastras, Alberto Contador and Juan Antonio Flecha (Spain), Dario Cataldo, Rinaldo Nocentini, Marco Marcato and Diego Ulissi (Italy), Timothy Duggan and Alex Howes (USA), Jerome Coppel, Maxime Bouet and Thomas Voeckler (France), Winner Anacona (Colombia), Luka Mezgec (Slovenia), Vladimir Isaichev (Russia), Vitaliy Buts (Ukraine), Fabricio Ferrari (Uruguay), Gatis Smukulis (Latvia),Stephen Cummings and Jon Tiernan-Locke (Great Britain), Gianni Meersman and Bjorn Leukemans (Belgium), Michael Matthews (Australia), Michael Schär and Michael Albasini (Switzerland), Fumiyuki Beppu (Japan), Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark) plus the host nation's Koen De Kort and Robert Gesink (Netherlands).

Despite each nation having two riders in the break, Belgium joined forces with the Dutch at the head of the peloton in limiting the danger to a minute. The Spanish, with Flecha and Lastras, and the French, berated into working by Voeckler, continued to push at the head of affairs but with so many stragglers and riders unwilling to work the move was always doomed.

Lastras and Bouet were used up on the 7th lap of the Cauberg but a crash in the peloton split the field. It ended a number of riders’ chances, saw Peter Sagan lose almost his entire team and reduced the bunch to 57 riders.

As the break neared two laps to go Flecha continued his work on the front but by now the escape was only 36 seconds clear. An attack from Fabian Wegmann (Germany) drew the leaders ever closer and saw a number of the early escapees even caught. By the time they crested the Cauberg and reached the finish line the escape had been neutralised.

But a definitive selection had yet to be made as unlike Valkenburg’s 1998 Worlds, when the skies opened up and made the race, this year’s light showers had no such effect with approximately 70 riders still in contention.

Andrew Talansky (USA) attempted to make sure his team’s earlier work wasn’t lost in vain and attacked on the Bemelerberg and when Ian Stannard (Great Britain) lurched across it looked as though the favourites could use the tandem as a spring board.

A combination of tired legs and a headwind scrapped any chance and on the penultimate ascent of the Cauberg tactics gave way to frustration. Vincenzo Nibali (Italy) attacked but his accelerations were shut down almost immediately, the soon to be Astana rider gesticulating for others to help him make the race more aggressive.

With Talansky and then Stannard caught, the race headed for the final lap, with a firm realisation that if the final climb up the Cauberg could not split the field then a sprint finish would decide this year’s race.

Inside the final 10 kilometres positioning became paramount. Spain moved Valverde and Rodriguez near the head of the field, as Belgium, Italy, and the outgunned Norway did the same. Alberto Contador and Samuel Sanchez took two long pulls on the front before Luca Paolini took charge, leading the peloton on the lower slopes of the Cauberg.

Moments before it had been Nibali who set the pace on the approach, a tactic that cost the Italian as he ran out of gas on the climb. At one point, with four Belgians on the Italian’s rear wheel, it looked as though a clean sweep could occur but Gilbert’s aggression and turn of speed was too much.