Wollongong 2022: Dominant performance from Evenepoel sees him become youngest world champion in 29 years

In Wollongong on Sunday Remco Evenepoel became the youngest World Champion in 29 years and the first rider to win a monument, a grand tour and the world road race since Bernard Hinault in 1980. The 22 year-old did it first by getting team-mates in the break, then slipping away from the peloton to join them in the final third of the race, before going on the attack himself with exactly two laps left. Ad He rode on for ten kilometres in the company of Alexey Lutsenko, but going solo on the penultimate ascent of Mount Keira.

World ChampionshipsHighlights: All the action from a dramatic men's road race as Evenepoel takes title30 MINUTES AGO An unmatchable effort did the damage over the next 20 kilometres. More than a minute in arrears, by the final lap of the 17km circuit the remaining chasers were forced to fight it out for the remaining medals. Evenepoel didn’t let up, looking to deliver the most dominant world championship victory many had seen.

He crossed the line on the brink of tears, raising his finger to his lips to suggest the silencing of critics. While the world was watching Evenepoel’s performance an insurgent group from the peloton was able to overhaul the remains of the break. Christophe Laporte of France won the sprint for second place, with Australian Michael Matthews taking the bronze medal.

Last minute preparations for the race had been overshadowed by reports that Mathieu van der Poel had been arrested and charged with common assault on Saturday night following an incident at his hotel. Although Van der Poel started the race, the Dutch favourite abandoned after less than an hour in the saddle. Under crystal clear New South Wales skies — a world away from the gloom experienced by the female riders on