Sonny Colbrelli battled through rain and mud to win the Paris-Roubaix title ©Getty Images

A mud-drenched Sonny Colbrelli of Italy was crowned Paris-Roubaix champion on his debut after triumphing in a gruelling rain-hit men’s race.

The Bahrain Victorious rider battled through rain and mud before emerging triumphant from a three-rider sprint to the line in the Roubaix velodrome.

Belgium’s Florian Vermeersch of Lotto Soudal, The Netherlands’ Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Fenix and Colbrelli went head-to-head in a thrilling finale.

Van der Poel was leading heading into the velodrome before Vermeersch hit the front only for Colbrelli to snatch victory on the line, finishing the 257.7 kilometre course in 6hr 1min 57sec.

Colbrelli becomes the first Italian to win the International Cycling Union World Tour event in 22 years, as he followed in the footsteps of Andrea Tafi who triumphed in 1999.

An emotional Sonny Colbrelli was in floods of tears after collapsing to the ground following his epic victory ©Getty Images
An emotional Sonny Colbrelli was in floods of tears after collapsing to the ground following his epic victory ©Getty Images

"Unbelievable, my first Paris-Roubaix and I win," said an emotional Colbrelli.

"Today is a legendary Roubaix with the rain and the weather at the start and an attack with 90km to go after Arenberg.

"I was at the limit in the final.

"It was super difficult because I had to pay attention for the crashes from the first sectors and then there’s always the stress to be in position in the cobbles.

"This year is my year.

"I’m very happy."