Carolina Routier of Spain was the early pacesetter in the swim, along with a chasing pack of 17 competitors, including Klamer, who led the rest of the field by over 45 seconds going into the first transition.

The lead pack pulled well ahead of the chase pack during the bike section, and Jessica Harrison of France stormed to the head of the leading group on the run, but mistimed her breakaway and saw Klamer and Holland pass, along with Italian Annamaria Mazzetti and Ukrainian Oleksandra Stepanenko around the halfway point.

Mazzetti then made her claim for the title as she took the lead, but she was hunted down by Klamer and Holland, who went head-to-head in a spring finish, in which Klamer came out on top by just two seconds.

"It's so good, I didn't expect it," said the 22-year-old Zimbabwe-born Klamer.

"I've had some pretty bad races recently so I was quite nervous.

"But I love racing here, I've won three times before and I thought if I won today it would be fantastic."

Britain's Vicky Holland was delighted with her silver medal-winning effort

Runner-up Holland said: "I had a great swim and felt in control.

"I didn't have the best of transitions and unfortunately, I gave away a bit of time.

"On the final lap, I didn't know how I was going to feel.

"On the final hill, Rachel [Klamer] dug in and then it was on from there.

"We dropped the others and then Rachel broke away.

"I'm over the moon.

"I don't think I could have asked for more, especially not a medal.

"It's a championship medal and it's a medal for Great Britain, so it's right up there."

Britain saw more success in the junior event, where Georgia Taylor Brown retained the title she won last year in Eilat, coming out on top over 15 seconds ahead of Germany's Laura Lindemann in second to take the title.

The men's senior and junior events are due to take place tomorrow.

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