The athlete finished a single second ahead of Australia's Simon Gerrans, while Spain's Alejandro Valverde secured the bronze medal for a third consecutive year.

Kwiatkowski took the decision to attack on the penultimate climb of the 254.8 kilometres race and managed to hold off the chasing pack, who waited for the final climb to make their moves.

"I was feeling great on the last lap and I'm really grateful of my teammates and all their work," he said.

"I was just going for the win.

"I was trying to take risks because some were calculating and waiting for the final climb.

Michał Kwiatkowski clutches his gold medal on the podium ©Getty Images



"Two days ago I watched the under-23 race and I knew it was possible to do this type of win, especially in the race.

"I just did my effort and had a little bit of a gap.

"This is just incredible."

Spain initially set the pace on the last lap but when Kwiatkowski attacked he caught the home team off-guard.

Valverde, Gerrans, Denmark's Matti Breschel, France's Tony Gallopin and Belgian pair Philippe Gilbert and Greg Van Avermaet formed the six-man chase group over the final climb but they were unable to claw back Kwiatkowski's advantage.

The 2015 UCI World Road Championships are due to be held in Richmond, United States.

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