Michael Kwiatkowski has become World champion cycling in Ponferrada. Simon Gerrans was second, Alejandro Valverde third. Lotto Belisol rider, Tony Gallopin took part of the little group that was sprinting for silver. He became sixth.

The first 170 kilometers we're spiced up by four unknown escapees, until Italy found it well enough in the tenth lap and the race broke loose. Tim Wellens showed himself in lap number 11 and 12 in the leading group, which had a varying composition of riders. Tony Martin created a gap of 30 seconds but got caught. The next lap there was an attempt of De Marchi, Gautier, Valgren and Kiryienka.

Kwiatkowski, Gerrans, Valverde, Breschel, Gallopin, Van Avermaet and Gilbert jumped to the front in the last lap. The Pole pushed on through and arrived at the finish line with minimum of seconds ahead. Phillipe Gilbert did all he could to close the gap with Kwiatkowski, but the Pole took away the gold medal. The sprint for the silver medal resulted in a second place for Gerrans and a third for Valverde. Tony Gallopin ended sixth.

"I'm not completely satisfied with my sixth place, I'm rather disappointed. Being on the podium was maybe possible. Everyone's legs certainly were hurting but I just had to wait for the right moment. Everybody knew that the last lap would be decisive. I could follow the bests on the last climb, so I'm content with my performance. But my result should have been better. A medal was possible,” Tony Gallopin said to Lotto-Belisol.