Switzerland's Karin Thurig beat home favourite Joane Somarriba to retain her time trial title at the World Road Race Championships in Madrid on Wednesday. Somarriba looked set to claim gold in her final world championships when she posted the fastest time of 28 minutes, 56.88 seconds for the 22km circuit.
But Thurig, who also competes in triathlons, came home five seconds ahead of the 2003 world champion.
American Kristin Armstrong was third, 34 seconds behind Somarriba.
Thurig, who took bronze in the 2004 Athens Olympics, started last of the 38 riders.
That usually gives a competitor an advantage but the Swiss did not see things that way.
"I had no information how much I was ahead and I was not sure if it was the truth because in the Olympics I heard afterward that they had given me the wrong time," she said.
Russia's Mikhail Ignatiev continued his impressive progress through the junior ranks by winning the men's under-23 time trial.
MMIX
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