Summary Poland's Michal Kwiatkowski celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the men's road race.
Spain (AFP) - Michal Kwiatkowski timed his breakaway to perfection to make history as the first Polish rider to win the men s road race world title on Sunday.
Following a 254km race in torrid, wet conditions, Australia s Simon Gerrans won a six-man sprint for second ahead of Spain s Alejandro Valverde, third for the third year in a row.
But it was Kwiatkowski s break with about 8km left, first reeling in four escapees and then going alone on the final climb, that proved decisive.
And the new owner of the rainbow jersey said he was delighted to have taken the risk, although he admitted his attack wasn t planned.
"I felt so much pain after the last descent, 1.5km is still a long way cannot," he said.
"I can t describe what I felt, this feeling for me to win the World Championships is just incredible.
"I saw the guys coming but I had a little bit of an advantage at the top (of the final climb).
"I knew that it was everything or nothing. I risked but in the end that worked.
"I just didn t know how I made it because that actually was a very risky attack, but in the end it worked.
"It s hard to say, I still need to sleep with that and then I will say more about my feelings."
