Greig Leach

Remco Evenepoel (Belgium) came to the line alone to claim the Rainbow Jersey of the UCI Road World Championships. His gap was such that no one was visible chasing behind. He had nearly two and a half minutes on the large group of chasers behind. So that was plenty of time for us to watch the emotions of the moment place across his face, and hands, has he rounded the final bends of the Wollongong City circuit. At the end of the Worlds last year he was frustrated that he could have one the title then, but had to ride for his countryman, Wout Van Aert. This year, Van Aert was too far back to have a chance, so Evenepoel was going to let history repeat himself. One of the first to congratulate the new champion was Julian Alaphilippe (France) who ceded his two time title to his trade team teammate. One of the last was his countryman, Van Aert.