Thundering to a world cycling title in Australia

Thor Hushovd captured the world title for Norway at the road bicycle race event for the UCI Road World Championships in Australia on Sunday.

The Norwegian won the final sprint by attacking a large group which had incredibly come back together during the final lap of the 162-mile bike race around Geelong.

One of the favorites, Phillipe Gilbert of Belgium, attacked the lead group of 50-some cyclists on the final lap, but started to fade after gaining nearly a half-minute advantage.

Chase

Defending world champion, Cadel Evans of Australia, launched a small chase group that caught Gilbert, but then was caught by the rest of the peloton.

“It was a confusing race. When [Philippe] Gilbert (BEL) was away, I was trying to encourage a bit of cooperation in the groups I was with, but no one wanted to commit in that final part of the race because to close one gap might finish your race and your day.”

Hushovd said the wind was too strong for a single rider to remain in front of the peloton for long. Hushovd.. 32, had previously won the time trial championship at the UCI worlds in the under-23 category.

US cyclists

Matti Breschel (Denmark) and Allan Davis (Australia) finished a close 2nd and 3rd. Evans finished in 17th and Gilbert placed 18th in the lead group of 18 cyclists.

US cyclists Edward King, Christian Vande Velde, Danny Pate, and Tyler Farrar finished in a large group that crossed the finish line about 13 minutes after Hushovd. Tejay Van Garderen, David Zabriskie, Craig Lewis, Jason McCartney and Thomas Peterson did not finish.

Women's results / Final tally

Italy's Giorgia Bronzini earned the gold medal at the elite women's road race on Saturday, edging out Marianne Vos (Netherlands) and Emma Johansson (Sweden) in the 78-mile road race.

Overall, Australia won the medal tally with one gold, one silver, and one bronze in the road championships.

Great Britain finished second with one gold and one silver. The US finished in third, with one gold and one bronze, each earned in the under-23 category by Taylor Phinney.