The Italian team leads the peloton as the race starts in Ponferrada...
Fabian Cancellara makes the first wheel-change of the day, after just two-kilometres..!
David Millar's last professional race has also started with a wheel-change...
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Matija Kvasina is leading an escape of four men, and they've ridden away unchallenged...
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The peloton saunters past the castle in Ponferrada on lap two, a long day awaits everyone..!
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A mass-stop for natural needs lets the escape gain even more time...
Michal Kwiatkowski changes a bike while the pace is easy...
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Andre Greipel has changed roles and is pacing John Degenkolb today...
Matthew Hayman protects Simon Gerrans for Australia, his role as a superb teamate has never changed..!
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Vincenzo Nibali changes bikes after an earlier spill on the slippery streets...
Greg Henderson shares a joke with his manager as a Kiwi mechanic fixes his seat-post...
Nicholas Roche can only smile as the Irish-like weather settles in for a few hours...
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Can Rui Costa has defend his World Title today, or see it pass to a new champion..?
Luca Paolini can't stay away from the race - he's tracking it with a rented scooter, part of a crafty Italian plan..?
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Savickas of Lithuania is pushing the escape along nicely - they have a massive 15-minute lead too..!
Poland has suddenly launched a fierce chase with just six laps ridden - but are they working for the Spanish or the Italians..?
The peloton crosses the dam on dry roads - the clouds are lifting at last..!
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Poland is still chasing hard, taking a minute out of the gap each lap, but for who..?
The peloton races through Ponferrada where massive crowds have finally appeared...
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Alejandro Valverde is on a big day today, as is Chris Froome...
Nacer Bouhanni is also a favourite, but is his French team up to it..?
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Alexander Kristoff is also a big favourite, but Norway's team car has crashed and all the spare bikes have been destroyed..!
Zdenek Stybar is barely recognisable in his Czech jersey, maybe he has a chance to shine today..?
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Michael Matthews is Australia's alternative leader if Gerrans doesn't make it today...
The Norwegian team-car lies smashed on the descent, all its passengers injured by the impact...
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The escape still has five minutes lead with a few laps to go, but their fate is sealed...
Poland climbs the main hill at a great pace, the finale of this World Championships is about to begin..!
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Peter Kennaugh has attacked with Giovanni Visconti, catching the escape and blasting the peloton to pieces...
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Herrada and Rodriguez react in a panic, but they're not alone...
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Nibali sees the danger and tries to bridge across to the developing move...
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Dan Martin leads another group, it's a chaotic situation as the rain pours down...
Kennaugh is still pounding away at the front, but some race-favourites have managed to join him...
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Australia picks up the initiative to chase, led by Rory Sutherland...
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Tony Martin has joined the Kennaugh group on the descent, and appears to be attacking..!
Tony Martin has powered away to a 50-second lead, but a regroupment and organised chase behind means he won't get any further...
Adam Hansen and Sutherland lead the chase of Martin for Australia, as the rain pours down again...
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Cadel Evans doesn't seem to be enjoying his last-ever World Championships, does he..?!
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Martin climbs the main hill on the penultimate lap, but he's about to be caught by a chasing quartet...
George Bennett and Jack Bauer are struggling near the back as the race unravels in the pouring rain - it's been a very tough day!
Alessandro De Marchi leads a new escape that's caught and passed Martin...
Vasil Kiryienka has joined the escape, putting them in a stronger position to succeed...
De Marchi is attacking again, dropping Kiryienka a few kilometres before the final ascent...
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Philippe Gilbert is trying to cross the gap, but he won't make it..!
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Michal Kwiatkowski emerges in front after catching De Marchi's escape and attacking on the final climb - Poland's chasing was for him, all along..!
Kwiatkowski has a 15-seconds lead on Valverde and Gilbert as the summit aproaches - can he really win..?
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Kwiatkowski has survived a mighty chase into Ponferrada and is about to win..!
Michal Kwiatkowski is the new World Champion for Poland..!
Michal Kwiatkowski celebrates with runner-up Simon Gerrans and bronze medallist Alejandro Valverde