Ballan streaks away to win world road race

Italy's Alessandro Ballan pulled away from the pack on the final lap to comfortably win the world road title yesterday. Ballan, the first man to win the title on home soil since France's Bernard Hinault in 1980, triumphed after the Italian team had dominated the race in the final third of the 260.25 kms course.

Italy's Damiano Cunego was second and Dane Matti Breschel took bronze following 15 laps of the northern Italian town, with the finish taking place in a converted horse racing track packed with fans.

Davide Rebellin, of Italy, was fourth while retiring team-mate Paolo Bettini, bidding for an unprecedented third title in a row, was in contention until the closing stages.

Bettini punched the air with delight from the peloton when he realised Ballan had won with a time of six hours 37 minutes 30 seconds.

"I still don't really realise what's happening. Having people chanting my name helped me a lot. Everybody, especially the Spaniards, were marking Paolo," Ballan told Eurosport television.

The spectre of doping again hung over the event with Luxembourg's Frank Schleck competing despite media reports that he is involved in Spain's Operacion Puerto drugs scandal.