Italian Samuele Battistella won the U23 men’s road race at the UCI Road World Championships in Harrogate, England, today.
Switzerland’s Stefan Bissegger placed second, with Great Britain’s Thomas Pidcock third.
Fourth place went to Colombia’s Sergio Andres Higuita Garcia, while Denmark’s Andreas Lorentz Kron completed the podium.
South Africa’s Marc Pritzen and Jason Oosthuizen placed 83rd and 106th respectively.
In a spectacular sprint, Dutchman Nils Eekhoff edged Battistella over the line, but a jury decision disqualified the former after it was determined, by his GPS data and video evidence, that he had returned to the peloton after an earlier crash with irregularly high speed.
“I didn’t understand what had happened at first, and when I was told, I can’t describe how it felt to become the world champion and to receive the jersey,” said Battistella.
“I’m really sorry for the Dutch rider, I was even happy with second place but now, wow, I am world champion. This can take some time to sink in, maybe I will sleep with the jersey tonight.
“I’m looking forward to becoming a professional rider now and this win will give me confidence.”
Samuele Battistella (centre) has been crowned the U23 road race world champion, with Stefan Bissegger (left) second and Tom Pidcock (right) third. Photo: Supplied
View more results below.
U23 men’s road race results
1. Samuele Battistella (ITA) 3:53:52
2. Stefan Bissegger (SUI)
3. Thomas Pidcock (GBR)
4. Sergio Andres Higuita Garcia (COL)
5. Andreas Lorentz Kron (DEN)
6. Tobias S Foss (NOR)
7. Pascal Eenkhoorn (NED) +0:00:38
8. Mikkel Bjerg (DEN)
9. Mathieu Burgaudeau (FRA)
10. Torjus Sleen (NOR)
Selected
83. Marc Pritzen (RSA) +0:12:42
106. Jason Oosthuizen (RSA) +0:20:35
