I ask myself, "Is this a memorable World's men's road race?" For me, very much so. There was all sorts of drama--the weather, the hard course, the sadness of crashes and abandons, riders against the elements, and great support from the people of Yorkshire. There were brave attacks; some didn't work. But the one that stuck left the outcome uncertain to the final moment, and in the end there was a surprise winner, most deserving. Great race.
Very much this. I would also add, as somebody else mentioned earlier, that everybody rode like gentlemen. All five in the winning move would've been deserving winners. It's also kind of nice that the legs decided, and not two guys looking at each other while the third Lulu-ed away into the distance.
As for those saying it wasn't a good WC, when was it better?
– Innsbruck? Similar levels of action maybe, but today had more epic drama with the weather, MVdP, Gilbert etc. and a more nuanced route.
– Bergen? Boring until the final lap.
– Doha? 300 meters of action in the desert, that's about it.
– Richmond? Less said, the better.
– Ponferrada? See Bergen entry.
– Firenze? Again, see Bergen entry.
– Valkenburg? Nothing really before the last Cauberg.
– Copenhagen? ...
– Geelong? Didn't see the race, so I don't know. Possibly better based on some comments.
– Mendrisio? The most recent WC that was definitely better than today.