Roubaix (AFP)
Led by Filippo Ganna, Liam Bertazzo, Simone Consonni and Jonathan Milan were almost two seconds ahead of their French rivals in a final that was long undecided, until two laps to go.
Italy clocked 3 min 47 sec 192 over the 4 kilometers from a standing start.
Bertazzo (29 years old), who took the place of Francesco Lamon compared to the sacred quartet at the Tokyo Olympics, Consonni (27 years old), Ganna (25 years old) and Milan (21 years old) have given Italy back its supremacy in the event at the Worlds.
His previous title dated back to ... 1997 before a long period dominated for the most part by Australians and the British.
The French, too, have returned to the high level.
Absent (not qualified) for the Tokyo Olympics, the group coached by Steven Henry achieved the most convincing performance in its history.
France had not been on the podium since the 2003 Worlds (bronze).
Valentin Tabellion (22) and Thomas Denis (24), two licensed runners in the Xelliss Roubaix road team, teamed up with Benjamin Thomas (26), the backbone of the group, and the "ghost" Thomas Boudat (27), 2014 omnium world champion who left the track after the Rio Olympics.
The French quartet composed of Thomas Boudat, Thomas Denis, Valentin Tabellion and Benjamin Thomas in the pursuit final in Roubaix, October 21, 2021 FRANCOIS LO PRESTI AFP
The bronze medal went to Great Britain who beat the very young team of Denmark, with in particular Carl-Frederik Bevort (17 years old).
© 2021 AFP