Mark Cavendish insists his UCI Road Race World Cycling Championship title was a real team effort – one he hopes will culminate in Olympic gold at London 2012.
The 26-year-old produced a trademark burst to cross the line in Copenhagen ahead of Australia's Matt Goss and German Andre Greipel as he became Britain's first world road champion since Scot Tom Simpson in 1965.
Team GB's eight-man line-up had set the pace at the front of the peloton throughout the 266-kilometre race and then made space for Cavendish to hit the front when it mattered.
American Tyler Farrar had hit the front as Cavendish appeared boxed in before his team-mates selflessly opened up the space for the Manxman to deliver his trademark sprint for the line.
And Cavendish was quick to pay tribute to his industrious colleagues – Steve Cummings, Chris Froome, Bradley Wiggins, Jeremy Hunt, David Millar, Ian Stannard and Geraint Thomas – who all played their part at some stage over the course of the race.
"The guys rode incredible and I am so proud," he said.
"This has been three years in the making. When this course was announced we put a plan together to come with the best group of guys and bring the rainbow jersey back to Great Britain."
Cavendish added: "London 2012 is the biggest goal for us, and hopefully we can make the double with the Olympics next year."