Dutchman Van der Poel wins world road title

GLASGOW : Mathieu van der Poel became the first Dutch world road race champion for nearly 40 years with a masterful ride around the rain-drenched streets of Glasgow on Sunday.

The 28-year-old attacked from a small lead group on the penultimate circuit of the 14.3km twisty city course, leaving rivals Tadej Pogacar, Wout van Aert and Mads Pedersen trailing.

Van der Poel poured on the power and even survived a heart-in-the-mouth moment when he crashed on a greasy corner that left him with a ripped shirt and a damaged shoe.

He extended his lead in front of huge crowds, many in Dutch colours, and avoided more late scares as he safely negotiated the 43 tight corners, raising his arms aloft as he crossed the line in George Square.

The former cyclocross world champion became the first Dutchman to win the rainbow jersey on the road since Joop Zoetemelk in 1985. Belgium's Van Aert was second with Slovenia's Pogacar pipping Pedersen for the bronze medal.

The 271km race which started in Edinburgh was halted for nearly an hour on the approaches to the Glasgow circuits after protesters from environmental group This Is Rigged blocked the road ahead.