Hello and welcome to live coverage of the World Championships men's road race from Doha. A 257.5km ride that starts with an out-and-back loop up the coast and into the desert, followed by seven laps of a 15.2km circuit around the Pearl, Qatar.

A stellar podium was topped by Peter Sagan today with two former world champions by his side... a fitting end to what was an intriguing race - and certainly the high point of an otherwise drab world championships in Doha.

Michael Matthews took fourth place ahead of Nizzolo. Sagan went on the right of the road - Nizzolo didn't close the door - then powered past everyone to take quite a straight-forward win. Boasson Hagen and Kristoff were sixth and seventh.

Mark Cavendish took second place for Britain ahead of Belgium's Tom Boonen.

And the world champion is world champion! What a win from Peter Sagan!

Now the sprint is launched - and Leezer is caught with 300m to go...

Under the flamme rouge goes Leezer and the gap has been closed by the Belgians... but it's still touch and go!

Leezer has a huge gap - this would be quite remarkable. Surely he can't do it? They need to close the gap fast...

It's Tom Leezwer who attacks from distance! He's stolen a march...

Remember - Cavendish has been ill and so it's still unsure whether or not he'll be able to summon the power in the sprint...

Michal Kolar takes it up for his Slovak team-mate Sagan. Leezer is sat behind with Viviani up into thrid now ahead of two Belgians and the Norwegian trio.

Terpstra attacks for the Netherlands! Van Avermaet has it covered, as does Hayman. It comes back together. Sagan is there as well.

Italy now take it up through Bennati as Stuyven drops off the back. Bennati is the next to go, meaning Norway are now in control.

Norway have very different tactics with their three riders near the front between an Italian sandwich. Belgium still with one rider on the front - Stuyven. It's really strung out now. Bennati in second place ahead of the Norwegians.

Cavendish, Blythe and Sagan are right on the back, Matthews too. They're not doing anything. Matthews has been invisible - sitting on the wheel of the giant veteran Mat Hayman, winner of Paris-Roubaix back in the spring.

Korsaeth back on the front for a stint before Belgium take over once again. There's some shoe-tightening going on from the likes of Sagan, Boasson Hagen and Kristoff. Matthews and Cavendish are playing a very shrewd game, keeping quiet. Surely there'll be some attacks soon...

The second group is led over the line by Andre Greipel, who looks a picture of anger and disillusion, some 3:37 behind. They're finishing merely for pride now.

One lap to go: Korsaeth, his jersey undone, comes to the front for Norway after a long stint by Stuyven. They approach the finish line where they will hear the bell... Stuyven is back on the front now for Belgium. It's show time!

Just in case you think that the Germans and French might still be in with a chance: they won't, because the gap back to the chasing group is now 3:30. William Bonnet is the only Frenchman here but he's not renowned for his sprinting - and only 15 months ago suffered that horrific crash in the Tour de France, breaking his neck in the process.

Belgium, Italy and Norway doing most of the work - which will be music to the ears of the likes of Cavendish, Matthews and Sagan, who have kept their heads down and conserved as much energy as possible since those splits first appeared in the crosswinds. That said, Van Avermaet and Boonen have not had to work - thanks to their team-mates. Perfectly poised.

Belgium have the luxury of having two men on the front driving a fast pace and ensuring no counter attacks go off the front. It remains to be seen if they leave things to the finale or if they send men ahead to pave the way and give them another chance. The problem with leaving it to the sprint is that they don't have the fastest guys in their team...