Spain's Alejandro Valverde ended his long wait for victory in the men's road race at the Road World Championships in Innsbruck, Austria.
The 38-year-old had finished on the podium a record six times without taking the rainbow jersey which now belongs to him.
After six hours 46 minutes in the saddle, the race on a 258 kilometres mountainous route ended in a four-rider sprint finish as Valverde held off France's Romain Bardet and Michael Woods of Canada to take gold.
Holland's Tom Dumoulin was fourth and Italy's Gianni Moscon fifth.
Nicolas Roche was the highest placed of the Irish. He came home in 67th, 14mins 23secs down on the new world champion Vaverde.
Dan Martin, whose preparation was compromised by the recent happy arrival of twin girls, was left behind on the Igls climb with just over 45km remaining.
Ryan Mullen and Conor Dunne showed the colours for more than 100km before the relentless repeat climbs of the 7km Igls took their toll and they ultimately were listed as non-finishers.
Valverde, who served a two-year doping suspension for his role in Operacion Puerto earlier in his career, had twice finished second and four times third at the World Championships.
But now Valverde, who rides for Movistar, marshalled the final four and succeeds Peter Sagan of Slovakia as world champion. Sagan had won three successive titles, but was not among the favourites and abandoned the race after three laps.
Incredible finish for @alejanvalverde 🌈#InnsbruckTirol2018 pic.twitter.com/kdjc39klbq
— UCI (@UCI_cycling) September 30, 2018
Adam Yates was 37th but his twin brother Simon, who won La Vuelta earlier this month, struggled on the day.
Kennaugh had animated the race and his attack with 22km to go prompted a thrilling finale.
It was not until the brutal 2.9km ascent of Hottinger Holl - included only on the last of seven laps - that the race ignited.
With gradients of up to 28 per cent the climb is nicknamed the 'Road to Hell' and a three-man lead group formed.
Dumoulin bridged the gap to Valverde, Bardet and Woods with just over 1km to go, but thought better of an immediate attack, playing into Valverde's hands.
And the Spaniard used all of his experience to sprint to victory.
