The first professional World Cycling Championship took place in 1927 at the Nürburgring in Germany and was won by Alfredo Binda, of Italy.

In recent years, the race is held towards the end of the European season, usually following the Vuelta a España.

The elite men's race is usually won by riders on the UCI World Tour or its predecessors.

It usually involves laps of a circuit with a total race distance over 250 kilometres (160 mi) in length.

Spaniard Alejandro Valverde has the most total medals by any individual rider with seven (1 gold in 2018; 2 silver in 2003, 2005; 4 bronze in 2006, 2012–14).