By Daniel Etchells

Pauline Ferrand-Prevot claimed the elite women's road race title ©Getty ImagesFrance's Pauline Ferrand-Prevot claimed the elite women's road race title in a photo-finish at the 2014 International Cycling Union (UCI) Road World Championships in Ponferrada.

The 22-year-old beat Germany's Lisa Brennauer, winner of the elite women's time trial on Tuesday (September 23), by the smallest of margins while Sweden's Emma Johansson finished third.

The race was marked by a large crash in the second of seven laps, which saw a number of riders taken to hospital and the field greatly reduced.

Defending champion Marianne Vos faded away in the sprint and finished 10th, ending her run of eight consecutive world road race podiums.

"I was not the strongest on the climb but we came back with one kilometre to go and I sprinted," said Ferrand-Prevot.

"I didn't know I'd won at first but now I know and it is fantastic.

"I had the best team ever and they were ready for the entire race to put me in the front."

Pauline Ferrand-Prevot celebrates her success ©Getty ImagesPauline Ferrand-Prevot celebrates her success ©Getty Images






Meanwhile in the junior men's road race in the Spanish city, Germany's Jonas Bokeloh claimed the title ahead of Russia's Alexandr Kulikovskiy and The Netherlands' Peter Lenderink.

Despite there being several attacks during the day, the race ultimately came down to a sprint between around 30 riders.

Bokeloh began his assault just as the last surviving attackers of the day, Switzerland's Gino Maeder and Russia's Stepan Kurianov, were reeled in, just seconds away from the line.

Initially using the slipstream of Edoardo Affini, who finished in the unfortunate position of fourth, he powered past the Italian and held off Kulikovskiy and Lenderink to win by a comfortable margin.

"Right from the start I felt good but I didn't expect to become world champion," said Bokeloh.

"I think it will make a lot of things much easier for me.

"I'm still looking for a team for next year and now I think I can get a better team."