Despite the protests of organsiers and the UCI, Spain's Alejandro Valverde will be among a host of riders looking to take the rainbow jersey from the shoulders of Paolo Bettini at the World Championships in Stuttgart.

The former ProTour points champion had been told by the UCI he would not be allowed to ride due to alleged connections with the Puerto affair, though after taking his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, he has been cleared to race.

Bettini and three-time champion Oscar Freire are favourites to power up the final steady climb in Stuttgart and contest victory, though Erik Zabel and Stefan Schumacher will be looking to provide a home win for the German fans.

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Eurosport