Alejandro Valverde triumphs in thrilling final to win elite men's World Championship road race

The Spaniard outlasted the other favourites to win his first world title at 38 years old .

Alejandro Valverde is the new men's world champion (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Alejandro Valverde has been crowned world champion after triumphing in a thrilling final to the elite men's road race in Innsbruck.

The 38-year-old Spaniard conquered the dreaded 28% gradients of Höttinger Höll and bested his strongest rivals in a four-up sprint at the line.

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