Casey B. Gibson Gallery: UCI 2012 Men’s Elite World Road Race Championship

Mark Cavendish and Bradley Wiggins work early for the Brits. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

The Cauberg stretches ahead. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

Belgium's version of Road Warrior. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

The break climbs the Cauberg through thousands of fans. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

Tejay Van Garderen on the Cauberg. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

Delirious Belgians celebrate Gilbert's win. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

Timmy Duggan does his usual stellar job in the break. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

Alex Howes takes the corner onto the Cauberg in Valkenberg. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

Contador attacks on the Cauberg to bridge up to the break. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

Some Italian fans drove all the way to Valkenberg for the day, and back tomorrow. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

Roadside fans wait for the peloton to enter the circuit. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

The peloton takes the corner in Valkenberg and heads up the Cauberg. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

Andrew Talansky attacked with Ian Stannard on the Bemelerberg with 1.5 laps to go, but rides alone after the peloton caught him on the Cauberg. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

Friends cheer for two riders from opposing areas of Belgium, and hope to remain friends after the race. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

Chris Horner was caught behind a late crash, and has a slow trip back to the finish. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

It's Carnival time in the Netherlands. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

Framed by motos, Gilbert launches his winning attack midway up the Cauberg. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

Peter Sagan, with Tom Boonen in-tow, tries in vain to catch Gilbert on the last lap. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

Gilbert in full power mode. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

Alejandro Valverde climbs the Cauberg toward a bronze medal after missing Gilbert's attack. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com