Hello and welcome to live coverage of the men's road race from Innsbruck, Austria - the blue riband race of these 2018 world championships.

Confirmation of the top 10 today after what was a truly gripping final 20km.

At 38 years, 5 months and 5 days, Alejandro is not quite the oldest world champion: Joop Zoetemelk was 39 when he won in 1985.

Emotional scenes for Alejandro Valverde, who is ecstatic. He's finally got gold after two silver medals and four gold medals. He's in tears and celebrating with all his Spanish team-mates once they finish, and all his team soigneurs and mechanics...

Romain Bardet took silver, Michael Woods bronze and poor Tom Dumoulin - despite battling back - didn't have enough and was fourth.

Victory for Alejandro Valverde of Spain! Finally, at the seventh occasion, Valverde is world champion!

Valverde on the front now, looking over his shoulders constantly...

Dumoulin was about to put in a big attack from behind but checked his speed once Valverde noticed it.

And Alaphilippe is not much further behind either, so if they mess around it could prove fatal.

Three become four as they cross the river Ings...

Dumoulin has not caught them yet but the gap is closing. We have no idea what's going on behind him - perhaps we have more riders about to rejoin the party?

Dumoulin is within sight of the three leaders and they're on the flat now and this will play into the hands of the Dutchman.

Dumoulin is only 10 seconds back! They have completed the final bit of the main descent and this could play into the hands of the Dutchman...

Bardet and Woods are making Valverde do the pacing on this descent until the Spaniard drops back to force the Frenchman through.

Of these three riders you have to fancy Valverde for the sprint - given his kick and his experience.

The kilometre count has disappointed so apologies about that - I'm improvising. The TV images are very confused - we have no idea what's happening behind these three leaders.

They're onto the descent now and it's Valverde leading Bardet and Woods: these three could be our medallists today, but behind there is a whole host of riders chasing back - including Dumoulin, Moscon and Alaphilippe.

The road flattens out near the summit and Bardet drops back a little while fiddling with his shoes. But he then puts in a big dig and comes to the front. They're going back uphill now after a small drop. Dumoulin has caught and passed Moscon.