Best of the worlds - a pictorial perspective

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Lush green Swiss fields, glorious sunshine and a field boasting the world's best riders - it must be this year's World Championships, held in Mendrisio, Switzerland.

There's always plenty of emotion and excitement during the four days of competition and this year's world title races were no exception.

Cyclingnews captured all the energy in images from the likes of seasoned Italian photographers Sirotti and Bettini and artful cycling snapper Edward A Madden.

Below is a taste of what Mendrisio delivered - until next year, when the worlds circus heads to the Australian city of Geelong.

American veteran Kristin Armstrong (above) rode to a gold medal in her last time trial as a professional. A fantastic way to end a great career.

While one TT gold medalist was retiring, another is just getting started. Rising Australian star Jack Bobridge (above) dazzled the cycling world further with a great performance in the U23 men's time trial to take the win.

Italian rider Tatiana Guderzo soaked up the applause (above) after prevailing in the women's road race. It was the result of some excellent team work by her teammate Noemi Cantele, who backed up from taking silver in the time trial to secure the bronze in the road race.

OK, who let this bunch into the stands? The atmosphere was jovial, to say the least, as the Europeans soaked up the last of the sunshine in the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland. They had reason to celebrate, with a fantastic display over the days of competition.

And on Sunday afternoon it all came down to this attack from Cadel Evans (above). After some excellent team riding from the Australians, Evans made the right moves and punched it hard with about five kilometres remaining. The rest, as they say, is history.

The end result? An Australian on the top step of the podium of the elite men's road race for the first time in the professional era of the event, with a choked-up Cadel Evans holding back the tears (above).