Reigning Olympic champion and Italian Paolo Bettini captured the gold medal and the rainbow jersey as the 2006 World Cycling Champion.

The 36-year-old German sprinter Erik Zabel took the silver medal and UCI ProTour winner Alejandro Valverde of Spain captured third place for the bronze medal.

A total of 136 cyclists actually finished the race, with Slovakia's Roman Broniš in last place (+ 13'38").

Based on the results of the riders in the UCI ProTour and UCI Continental Circuits in 2006, all nations have received a number of riders they can send to the championships.

Andreas Klöden has declared he only wants to ride in the Time Trial World Championships 2006.