Michael Matthews sprints to win in U23 Men's Road Race at 2010 UCI Road Cycling World Championships ahead of Germany's John Degenkolb and USA's Taylor Phinney who shares bronze with Canada's Guillaume Boivin.

Michael Matthews of Australia outsprinted his rivals to win the 159-kilometer under-23 road race at the World Road Cycling Championships earlier today.

Matthews, 20, timed his finishing burst to win by four bike lengths from Germany's John Degenkolb and to become the fifth Australian to win a world road title. He was also the third Australian to win a medal in the under-23 road race, following silvers to William Walker in 2005 and Wesley Sulzberger in 2007.

Taylor Phinney of the United States and Guillaume Boivin of Canada finished in a dead-heat for third. Phinney won the men's under-23 time trial on the opening day of the championships.

"Actually I can't really say anything, I am over the moon, this is a dream come true," new Under 23 World Champion Matthews commented shortly after his win and added "Dreams don't usually come true, it's unbelievable."

Michael Matthews sprints to win in U23 Men's Road Race at 2010 UCI Road Cycling World Championships ahead of Germany's John Degenkolb (white jersey, middle) and USA's Taylor Phinney (to the left of Degenkolb) who shares bronze with Canada's Guillaume Boivin (very right). Photo Fotoreporter Sirotti.

"I really wasn't expecting to do that well today," Taylor Phinney commented and added "It is a hard course and I'm a big person. It takes a little extra to get over those climbs, but I had a lot of support from the team and a lot of motivation today to finish the season off on a really high note. I couldn't have asked for a better week really with the time trial win and the third-place finish here."

The 2010 Cycling World Championships run until Sunday, culminating in the pro men's 262.7 kilometer road race. More than 500 cyclists from 53 nations are competing.

Watch 2010 World Road Cycling Championships video highlights in our Roadcycling.com videos section shortly after each event. (Only access from US)

Click here for complete 2010 Cycling World Championships U23 Men's Road Race results.