Welcome to live coverage of the big one - the race we've all been waiting for... the 2012 World Championships elite men's road race: a 267km undulating circuit race through the province of Limburg in the Netherlands.

Slovakia have a six-man team, including two sets of brothers: the Velitses (twins Martin and Peter) and the Sagans (Peter and the lesser-known Juraj). Sagan junior (that's Peter) is one of the big favourites today - although he's been very quiet since taking three stage wins on his debut Tour de France.

Portugal have just four riders in their team, but Rui Costa is certainly one to watch. The 25-year-old was third in Quebec recently, and won last year in Montreal. Norway have just three riders, but Sky pair Edvald Boasson Hagen and Lars Petter Nordhaug are real contenders. Boasson Hagen loves uphill finishes, while Nordhaug won in Montreal.

The sun is out as the peloton plod through a wooded area in the Dutch province of Limburg. The leading group is still 5:40 up the road.

Britain, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Australia, the Netherlands, France and USA all have a full quota of nine riders in their teams. The States have no obvious candidates, but they have two men in the break, plus the experienced Chris Horner in their ranks. Young time trial specialists Tejay van Garderen and Taylor Phinney are there, plus the promising Andrew Talansky.

Australia have won a medal in the world championships for the past three years and they have Simon Gerrans, who is tipped by many for glory today. He's proven over such a long distance, having won Milan-San Remo earlier in the season, and he's in great form after his win in Quebec a fortnight ago. Heinrich Haussler is the team's option for a sprint, but it's really all about Gerrans.

The Belgians have hot favourite Philippe Gilbert, although there's a growing sense that Tom Boonen may be their man. That said, Boonen has never ridden the Amstel Gold - the spring classic that takes in the Cauberg - and the accumulation of climbs may be too much for him. Greg van Avermaet is in form and should be watched closely. Gianni Meersman is also solid.

Italy have a very inexperienced team for the most part. They will hope Vincenzo Nibali can keep up with the favourites on the climbs of the Cauberg, although the former Vuelta winner does lack the sprinting instinct of his main rivals. Moreno Moser is a dark horse, while Rinaldo Nocentini should be strong. Should it come to a sprint, Oscar Gatto is there man.

The gap is over five minutes now as Team GB ride on the front of the pack with the entire French team tucked in behind. We've already looked at some of the big nations in this race - such as France, Britain, Spain and Holland - but let's take a look at some of the other teams who could make a ripple.

Eurosport spoke to France's Thomas Voeckler this morning: "It's very difficult mentally doing the 10 laps. It will be tough on the Cauberg and the speeds will be high."

Pint-sized Timothy Duggan is having a snack in the leading group. The American is wearing a Liquigas left arm warmer.

The whole Dutch team is near the front of the pack. They sent numerous riders off the front early on, but they have no riders in the leading group. The have a handful of riders who could win today, including the likes of Lars Boom, Laurens Ten Dam and Niki Terpstra. For the time being, it's Mark Cavendish of Britain who leads the pack. The 27-year-old reigning champion knows his chances are very slim today, but he's honouring the rainbow jersey by putting in a big shift today. Chapeau.

The leaders are onto another small climb as they pass through a small town. The gap is 4:38. Apologies - we had the kilometre count down 100 clicks for the past few entries, it has been updated now!

Team GB, Colombia and the Dutch are all near the front of the peloton as the pace increases.

NEWSFLASH: Slovenia's Matej Mohoric has just convincingly won the junior road race in a bunch sprint. He was about 10 bike lengths off the front of the pack after a wonderful surge of pace in Valkenburg. It caps a wonderful week for Mohoric, who won silver in the time trial last week too.

The gap is up to four minutes for the leading 11-man group. Two Ukrainians and two Americans in this group. None of the riders here should be a threat to the big guns, though.

NOTE: The kilometre count is a mere estimation and judged on the average speed because the host broadcaster is not providing any time checks. It will be easier to assess once we're onto the 10 laps of the 16.1km circuit but until then, we're just playing it by ear.

The gap of the 11-man lead group is now two and a half minutes. They are: Lastras (Spain), Cataldo (Italy), Duggan and Howes (both USA), Coppel (France), Anacona (Colombia), Mezgec (Slovenia), Isaichev (Russia), Buts and Ferrari (both Ukraine), and Smukulis (Latvia).

The leading group now has a minute over the bunch, which has slowed considerably while half the field have a pee stop. Colombia and Belgium are near the front, including the race favourite Philippe Gilbert, who is munching on something.

Defending champion Mark Cavendish is right on the front doing domestique duties for Team GB. He would have got a lot of practice in this role during the past season at Sky. Cav is one of three former world champions in today's field, the other two are Tom Boonen and Oscar Freire. All of a sudden, half the peloton stop for a call of nature...

Thomas Voeckler is near the front of the peloton surrounded by French team-mates. The attacking veteran is one of the dark horses for today's race. The route suits him perfectly and he's been training extra hard to be in contention today. Team GB are on the front of the pack too now.

The two leaders have been joined by around 10 riders on the front, with a Dutch-French duo in pursuit. The pace slows again. It looks like there are two Americans in the leading group.