DOHA, Qatar (AP) " Slovakia's Peter Sagan mounted a successful defense of his men's elite Road World Championship, winning the title for the second straight year Sunday after beating out fierce rival and 2011 champion Mark Cavendish. Belgium's Boonen finished third, while Australian Michael Matthews, second last year, was fourth. With the victory, Sagan became the first back-to-back champion of the race since Italian Paolo Bettini, who won in 2006 and 2007. He also became one of only eight riders in the history of the championship to win the title twice. It is the first time in the 89-year history of the event that the Road World Championships have been held in the Middle East.

Source: New Zealand Herald October 16, 2016 15:22 UTC