Alejandro Valverde (Spain) rides to the start of the World Championship road race in Mendrisio, Switzerland on Sunday.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Fans were out in force today, supporting their national heros.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
The shadow of a bridge cuts through the peloton early in the race.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
The World Championship peloton races through Mendrisio, Switzerland on Sunday.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Olegs Melehs (centre, Latvia) leads the early breakaway.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Cadel Evans wins the World Championship for Australia(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Elite men's road race World Championship podium: Alexandr Kolobnev (Russian Federation), Cadel Evans (Australia), Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver (Spain)(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Cadel Evans (Australia) was emotional on the podium(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Cadel Evans (Australia) during the race(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Cadel Evans (Australia) in his new rainbow stripes(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Cadel Evans gets congratulations from his wife after winning(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Cadel Evans smiles as he presents his medal and jersey in Mendrisio, Switzerland.(Image credit: Sirotti)
Cadel Evans (Australia) rode away from the rest in the closing stages of the World Championship race.(Image credit: Sirotti)
Yes, that's right, you're about to become World Champion.(Image credit: Sirotti)
Evans (Australia) starts to realise what is happening.(Image credit: Sirotti)
Kolobnev (Russia) leads Rodríguez (Spain) over the line.(Image credit: Sirotti)
Kolobnev (Russia) outsprints Rodríguez (Spain) at the finish.(Image credit: Sirotti)
Fabian Cancellara (Switzerland) crosses the line.(Image credit: Sirotti)
Matti Breschel (Denmark), Philippe Gilbert (Belgium), Alejandro Valverde (Spain) and Damiano Cunego (Italy) approach the finish.(Image credit: Sirotti)
Victory today rounds off what has been one of the most tumultuous seasons in Cadel Evans' career.(Image credit: Sirotti)
Tears of joy: Cadel Evans (Australia) on the podium in Switzerland.(Image credit: Sirotti)
Evans' displays his medal to the assembled masses.(Image credit: Sirotti)
It was an emotional day for the family. Evans' wife Ciara watches her husband collect the rainbow jersey on Sunday evening. (Image credit: Sirotti)
The World Championship podium: Alexandr Kolobnev (2nd, Russia), Cadel Evans (1st, Australia) and Joaquím Rodríguez (3rd, Spain) (Image credit: Sirotti)
Cadel Evans (Australia) crosses the line, the new World Champion.(Image credit: Sirotti)
Evans' celebrations were reserved as he crossed the line, but emotions bubbled through to the surface on the podium.(Image credit: Sirotti)
Evans shows his appreciation to the crowd. The Australian lives in Switzerland, nearby Mendrisio, during the season.(Image credit: Sirotti)
Cadel Evans (Australia) after crossing the finish line.(Image credit: Sirotti)
Fabian Cancellara (Switzerland) rode his heart out and was visibly disappointed at finishing fifth.(Image credit: Sirotti)
Cadel Evans (Australia) assumes the top step of the podium.(Image credit: Sirotti)
The podium ceremony was clearly affecting for Cadel Evans (Australia)(Image credit: Sirotti)
Joaquím Rodríguez (Spain) took the bronze medal.(Image credit: Sirotti)
Alexandr Kolobnev (Russia) finished in second place.(Image credit: Sirotti)
Evans became particularly emotional as the Australian national anthem was played.(Image credit: Sirotti)
Cadel Evans (Australia) grins on the podium.(Image credit: Sirotti)
Cadel Evans' gold medal and rainbow jersey.(Image credit: Sirotti)
Alejandro Valverde discusses strategy with a Spanish teammate.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Samuel Sanchez (Spain) was a favorite going into the race.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
