Alessandro Ballan crowns himself world champion in his native country; Robert Gesink is the best Dutchman with a tenth place.

None of the riders who had been bombarded favorites before the start of the race - Paolo Bettini, Tom Boonen or Rabo-rider Oscar Freire – became the 75th world champion on the road in Varese, but it was Alessandro Ballan who crowned himself world champion in his native country. In a breathtaking finale and with only two kilometers left to race, Ballan initiated a sharp attack and rode away from a lead group with among others Robert Gesink. He was able to reach the finish in a solo-effort, ahead of Damiano Cunego and Martin Breschel. Robert Gesink (picture), who rode an impressive finale, ultimately finished tenth. Of all the other Dutchmen, only Karsten Kroon managed to reach the finish line.

Self-evidently, the WC was characterized by a long escape that included three lesser riders, but as usual the tedious opening was followed by a thrilling finale. The two powerhouses, Italy and Spain, were testing each others’ strength in the beginning of the finale, and at times it was Belgium that had to reorganize things. In the last but one lap, six men escaped who then appeared to have set up the decisive breakaway. Robert Gesink acknowledged the danger and with precisely one lap left to ride he rode away from the pack toward the lead group while being followed by a couple of other riders.

Gesink immediately put himself in the front ranks of the lead group and frequently tried to get away. This cost him so much energy that he could no longer compete for the prizes in the final eight kilometers. A select group with among others Ballan escaped after which it was Ballan himself who subsequently rode away from that group. Behind him everyone came back together to sprint for second place. After a tenth place in both the Olympic time trial as well as the Olympic road race, Gesink again finished tenth in the WC and therefore Robert Gesink has shown that with him a great Dutch cyclist has established himself as an astonishing rider on a world-class level.

All in all, the world championships got an unexpected but then again not a less brilliant winner with Alessandro Ballan. The Dutch team for a long time remained on the sidelines, but Karsten Kroon and particularly Robert Gesink displayed their abilities and capaciapties on the last day of the World Championships in Varese.