Britain are riding for Ben Swift. He is a decent sprinter who likes a hill or two, which is good news, considering there will be 28 to negotiate before the finish in Ponferrada.

No doubt the Australian, Spanish, Italian, French, German and American riders will want to have their say, as well as Portugal's defending champion Rui Costa.

Thanks for reading today and I'll be back from 13:00 BST on Sunday when the BBC television coverage gets going. Be sure to join me.

And that folks is that. I'd echo Boardman's words. Lizzie Armitstead is unlucky to come away without a medal today. A terrific race though and I'll be back on Sunday for more of the same as the men do battle over the same course, albeit they will do double the distance.

GB's 1994 world time trial champion Chris Boardman:, external What a tactically excellent worlds road race by @L_Armitstead, did everything right. Sometimes it just isn't meant to be.

1. Pauline Ferrand Prevot (Fra) 3:29:21"

2. Lisa Brennauer (Ger) ST

3. Emma Johansson (Swe)

4. Giorgia Bronzini (Ita)

5. Tiffany Cromwell (Aus)

6. Shelley Olds (USA)

7. Elizabeth Armitstead (GB)

8. Linda Villumsen (NZ)

9. Hanna Solovey (Ukr)

10. Marianne Vos (Ned)

One other interesting point to note is that Vos finished 10th. It is the first time since winning the race in 2006 that the three-time world champion has finished outside the top two.

Rochelle Gilmore
Owner and manager of Wiggle Honda cycling team on BBC TV

"Lizzie couldn't have done anything differently. She did everything she could and she will be disappointed but she's had a fantastic season."

In the middle of all that, a great finish from Germany's Lisa Brennauer who caps a stunning World Championships with a silver medal in the road race. Brennauer won the individual time trial in midweek and last Sunday's team time trial.

Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist and BBC Sport summariser

"I can understand her frustration but the race didn't pan out in her way."

Lizzie Armitstead on BBC Two: "I put all my eggs in one basket on the last climb. I got Bronzini's wheel but messed it up. The race was just too easy - that sounds ridiculous but it was.

"The rain was a good opportunity but it needed to be harder earlier in the race and everyone played the sprinter card.

"I've worked really hard and am in good shape but that's cycling. It was a negative race and I was like "come on let's go!" but no-one did. Maybe one day I will learn."

Armitstead looks devastated as she talks with BBC Sport's Jill Douglas. The British rider finished seventh. She positioned herself brilliantly throughout the race and it looked race over with four out front in the final kilometre but once they all started looking at each other, it opened the door for the chasing bunch.

Vos hit the front in the final 200m but Ferrand Prevot came out of her slipstream to take the title. Lisa Brennauer of Germany took second with Johansson third.

Ferrand Prevot was the woman Armitstead feared most and the French woman breaks down into tears as she finally realises she is the world champion. It was a photo finish on the line.

Pauline Ferrand Prevot wins the world title.

There's a bit of cat and mouse with everyone looking over their shoulders and here comes Bronzini and it's suddenly a bigger sprint than anyone would have liked. Final 500m and where is Armitstead?

Just 2km remaining and it's a flat run-in to the finish. Borghini goes first and Vos responds. Armtistead happy to sit at the back of the quartet as they hit the final kilometre.

And Johansson steps on the pedals on the dry descent. She opens up a couple of bike lengths. Vos, with Armitstead following as they bomb into Ponferrada at 80km/h.

Four riders are clear. Armitstead, Vos, Borghini and Johansson. Four into three doesn't go though. Who will miss out on a medal? 3.5km to go.

Worrack goes again but Evelyn Stevens covers her move and takes off on her own. Vos and Armitstead continue to track each attempt to break clear.

Emma Johansson is the next to try her luck and break the field. Armitstead and Vos again cover and then Armitstead makes her move. 4.5km to go as they reach the summit.

Armitstead is third, with Vos tracking her every move. Shelley Olds, a sprint specialist, is in Vos's wheel. If the American can get a decent tow up this final hill she could well be in the mix. Bronzini is also still lurking.

Nobody is taking any chances on the descent. A crash here and your chances of winning are gone. The speed is a good 10km/h down on when the road was dry.

Just the final kilometre-long climb to Mirador and descent into Ponferrada to come. Who is going to make the move on the ascent? 6.5km from the finish.