Tonight, the UCI will crown a new elite Men’s World Champion, as the final event of 2013 UCI Road World Championships week concludes with the biggest race of them all, the Elite Men’s Road Race. Join us for live updates from 9.00pm AEST.
The race gets underway in the Tuscan city of Lucca and heads towards Florence, arriving after just over 100 kilometres of racing but the race is far from over as the riders tackle 10 laps of a 16.6-kilometre loop.
The loop takes in a 4.3 kilometre climb up to Fiesole at an average gradient of 5.2 percent and a shorter but tougher climb of Via Salviata, only 600 metres in length but a maximum gradient of 16% with an average of 10.2 percent.
Neither climb is significant if encountered once, but the riders will make the ascent of each climb 10 times, sure to test the legs come the end of the race.
The main contenders are the unsurprisingly those who have competed for GC honours in the Grand Tour this season.
Chris Froome and Bradley Wiggins of Great Britain, Vincenzo Nibali and Michele Scarponi of Italy, Alejandro Valverde and Joaquim Rodriguez of Spain, while Australia’s hopes rest with Richie Porte and Cadel Evans, though Evans has stated he doesn’t feel his form is good enough to challenge for the title.
Reigning world champion Philippe Gilbert of Belgium can’t be ruled out if he times his attack right, while the Colombian’s could spring a surprise with Nairo Quintana and Rigoberto Uran both likely to be suited by the course and never shy to attack their rivals.
It should be a fascinating race and it’s certainly wide open, so join me for all the live action from 9:00pm AEST.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
And that concludes The Roar's live coverage of the elite men's road race of the UCI World Championships. Shame the cameras won't follow Rodriguez and Valverde into the dressing room, it could well be on for you and old! Thanks for joining us, and keep following The Roar for the best cycling coverage in Australia.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
There is so much to love about Portugal, the sherry, the port, those delicious little egg tarts, the tripe in Porto.....the national anthem is not one of the things to love about Portugal. Very poxy. Still, I'm sure Rui Costa doesn't care right now.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Some boos for Valverde from the crowd. The Spanish riders were arguing amongst themselves after last year's race. Think it might come to fisticuffs this year, when the tears stop, Rodriguez is going to be an angry man with Valverde.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Medal ceremony. Joaquin Rodriguez still crying, very upset. He knows how hard these are to win, and his best chance may have just disappeared. Rui Costa on the other hand looks delighted (in a special Portuguese kinda way) to be presented with the rainbow jersey and gold medal.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
The official twitter account for Toscana 2013 has listed Clarke as 5th still, and doesn't have Sagan in the top 10. More mis-information, follows the pattern of the day really. No idea if he was 5th or 7th
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
7 hours, 24 minutes and 44 seconds in the saddle for Rui Costa, that's some effort. Makes the 3 hour run I'll be tackling tomorrow look like child's play.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Tremendous ride from Vincenzo Nibali too, when he crashed he looked like he'd have to abandon, but he jumped back on, caught the peloton (with a wee smidgeon of assistance from his team car) and then was able to go with the late attack. Great effort.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Simon Clarke now reported as being 7th. 1. Rui Costa 2. Joaquin Rodriguez 3. Alejandro Valverde @ 16" 4. Vincenzo Nibali " 5. Andriy Grivko @ 31" 6. Peter Sagan @ 34" 7. Simon Clarke " 8. Maxim Iglinskiy " 9. Philippe Gilbert " 10. Fabian Cancellara "
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Portugal's first ever World Champion, thoroughly deserved too. Well done Rui.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
What a smart ride from Rui Costa. Do not play poker with this man. He refused to do a turn when Nibali wanted to chase Rodriguez, he'd come and do a tiny turn at the front and make it look like he had nothing to offer and was exhausted, but he was forcing Nibali to do the hard yards. He risked losing the race to give himself the biggest chance of winning the race, and it paid off handsomely. Rui Costa is the 2013 UCI Elite Men's World Champion, and he's in tears. Overcome with emotion. He'll be in the rainbow jersey next season. Rodriguez congratulates him on his ride, what a great ride from Purito, he gave it his all.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Simon Clarke of Australia fifth!!!
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Valverde third, a despondent Nibali fourth.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Costa goes first, Rodriguez jumps on his wheel. Photo finish but it's Rui Costa of Portugal!
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Rodriguez sits up and talks to Costa! Wow. Sprint finish
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Costa is catching him quickly!
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Here we go...Rodriguez chased by Costa. Last kilometre.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Rui Costa attacks Nibali now! He's off in pursuit of Rodriguez.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
The gap is opening up, has Rodriguez played this to perfection? Nibali looks spent, but I've said that before...twice even, and he's proven me wrong.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Nibali trying to shut the gap down again on his own. 2 kilometres to go.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Rodriguez attacks again!