Tommy Simpson (centre) of Britain , formerly of Doncaster , now of Ghent , Belgium , on the victory podium after he had won the professional race of the World Cycling Championships at San Sebastian , Spain . Second was Rudi Altig (right) of Germany and third Belgium's Roger Swerts (left). Simpson's winning time was 6 hours , 39 minutes , 19 seconds .It was the first time a Briton had ever won the title . 7 September 1965