Italy's Elisa Balsamo is the women's road cycling world champion after she beat former champ Marianne Vos of the Netherlands in a sprint finish to Saturday's race in Leuven, Belgium.
"I am totally speechless," said the 23-year-old.
"I can't believe it. It is a dream after a really long season.
"The team were fantastic. I beat Marianne Vos".
It was Italy's third gold at the world championships after Filippo Ganna retained his men's time-trial title and Filippo Baroncini won the Under-23 race.
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