Wesemann (
Germany) went to the front to do pacemaking. With 1.5 km left, Vinokourov attacked, but his move was smothered. Danilo Hondo (
Germany) attempted to lead out Zabel, but Freire was on Hondo?s wheel. Alejandro Valverde (
Spain) then led out Freire, who took the lead with 100 m left and held off Zabel.

Freire?s victory puts him in elite company. He is one of four riders?Alfredo Binda, Rik van Steenbergen, and Eddy Merckx being the others?who have won three world road championships. Freire won his first worlds in
Verona in 1999, so
Verona is a special place for him. The Spaniard?s world championships are his most important victories. His motivation seems to rise to a different level for the world championship.

Australia, which put two men in the final break, might have missed out on a medal because of a foul by bronze medalist Paolini. The television replay showed Alby Davis (
Australia) passing Paolini when the Italian elbowed him. The judges, however, declined to relegate Paolini. When
Davis learned of the judges? decision, he was angry but resigned.

The riders in the world championship road race will meet again and soon. The final two World Cup races, Paris-Tours and the Tour of Lombardy, will take place in the next two weeks, as will Milan-Turin. Who will prevail? Check in at www.roadcycling.com and find out!

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