Cadel Evans wins men's race at road worlds

MENDRISIO, Switzerland (AP) -- Cadel Evans of Australia won the men's race at cycling's road world championships on Sunday, finally adding a major victory to a career resume stacked with second-places.

Evans broke clear on the final climb to finish in 6 hours, 56 minutes, 26 seconds on the 262.2-kilometer (162.9-mile) course.

"It's something exceptional," said the new world champion, who crossed the line kissing his wedding ring that he wears on a necklace.

Alexandr Kolobnev of Russia was 27 seconds behind to take silver, beating Spain's Joaquin Rodriguez in a sprint finish. Switzerland's Fabian Cancellara was in contention on the final lap, but finished fifth as he sought a historic gold medal double after winning the time trial on Thursday.

For Evans, 32, it was the biggest win of his career after finishing runner-up in the Tour de France in 2007 and '08, and the past three Dauphine Libere stage races.

His second place in Belgium's Wallonne Arrow race last year was his best result in a one-day classic, and he took road race silver at the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

"Sometimes it gets demoralizing," Evans said. "But I've always looked ahead to the possibility of winning in the future."

He became the first Australian to take gold in the 76th edition of the world championships race, triumphing on roads close to his home in Switzerland during the European summer season.

The riders covered 19 laps of a tight, hilly course that challenged them with two testing climbs, technically demanding downhill sections and little recovery time.

"I've been thinking about this race for two years," Evans said. "The finish line is three kilometers from my home away from home."

His Italian wife Chiara looked on, smiling and wiping away tears, as her husband spoke to reporters.

"I saw him passing but I didn't watch (the race)," she said. "I was nearly fainting, just trying to hope he would find a way to get to the finish line."

The race featured a dramatic final lap as the pre-race favorites gathered in the lead group. Alexandre Vinokourov of Kazakhstan, who returned from a two-year doping ban last month, made the first move but was soon hauled in.

Cancellara went to the front with Olympic champion Samuel Sanchez on the descent following the steep Castel San Pietro climb, before being joined by Evans, Kolobnev and Rodriguez.

The three eventual medalists broke clear together and Evans made his decisive break on the final Novazzano climb.

"I thought I could catch him if he slowed going up the hill," said Kolobnev, who also won silver in 2007. "I couldn't make it by myself."

Rodriguez was an unexpected medalist from the strong Spanish team, which also had Vuelta winner Alejandro Valverde and three-time champion Oscar Freire in contention.

"We had an agreement at the beginning to work together and we did a good job," Rodriguez said.

Racing in bright, sunny weather on the Swiss-Italian border, six riders broke clear after the first 13.8-kilometer (8.6-mile) circuit.

The group grew to 10 cyclists -- though lacking anyone from the fancied Italian, Spanish or Australian teams -- early in the fourth lap and built a lead of nearly 10 minutes. The peloton closed to within six minutes at the race's halfway stage.

An Italian trio of defending champion Alessandro Ballan, Michele Scarponi and Giovanni Visconti then helped force the pace in a chasing pack, and the leaders were eventually caught after going alone for more than 200 kilometers.

With three laps left, a new breakaway of 22 riders formed, including Ballan, 2005 winner Tom Boonen of Belgium and Australia's Michael Rogers.

The peloton got to work with 20 kilometers (12 miles) to go, and bridged the gap going into the final lap.

Britain's dismal week continued with team leader David Millar failing to finish. Defending champion Nicole Cooke did not complete the women's race Saturday, and Bradley Wiggins had mechanical problems when poised to challenge for bronze in the time trial Thursday.

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