In what turned out to be a three-way battle for the gold medal, Dowsett reigned in a deficit of almost six seconds with 10 kilometres of the 38.4km course to go, to eventually triumph by 9.3 seconds with a time of 47 min 41.78sec.

It represented a major breakthrough for the 25-year-old, who, despite winning silver four years ago in Delhi and winning the individual time trial stage of the 2013 Giro d'Italia, has invariably played second fiddle to his more illustrious British team mates Sir Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome.

He was not selected for the event at the London 2012 Olympic Games, where Sir Bradley and Froome won gold and bronze respectively.

"This win goes a lot deeper than just the Commonwealth Games," Dowsett, who was also omitted from the Movistar squad for the recent Tour de France, said afterwards.

"I thought it was all over in the last 10 kilometres, but obviously everybody else was struggling too.

"It's a personal victory, and a thank you to family, friends and coaches."

Dennis, the Australian who won a team pursuit silver medal on the track at London 2012, finished four seconds clear of third placed Welshman Geraint Thomas, a member of the British quartet that won team pursuit gold in London.

David Millar failed to defend his title despite frenetic home support ©Getty Images



But to the disappointment of the home crowd, Scotland's defending champion David Millar finished down in eighth, one place ahead of the man in third position four years ago, Luke Durbridge of Australia.

Millar's performance certainly quietened the blue and white clad fans at the finish line, but, despite the relentless rain which poured down on the course for much of the day, the event was another triumph for cycling as crowds took to the streets throughout city for a course which wound its way around many of the Glasgow's best known landmarks.

And there was another close battle for them to enjoy at the beginning of the day as Linda Villumsen, like Dowsett a runner-up at Delhi 2010, got the better of England's Emma Pooley in the closing stages.

Linda Villumsen celebrates her first time trial victory at a major championship ©AFP/Getty Images



Like in the men's race, it was the rider who best paced their effort who was rewarded, with New Zealand's Villumsen triumphing by six seconds despite trailing with 6km to go.

Third place was taken by Katrin Garfoot of Australia.

It marked a breakthrough win for the perennial nearly-woman Villumsen, who has remarkably won either silver or bronze medals at the last five editions of the World Championships and also finished fourth at London 2012.

"We've worked really hard on this for the last four years," said the 29-year-old afterwards.

"I've been nearly there, nearly there, so it's a confidence boost.

"I'm always missing something, I've always wanted to win I can't describe it, the last four years I've got silver, it finally worked out.

"Everyone believed in me, probably more than I did myself."

Pooley, who came runner up to the United States' Kristin Armstrong in the road time trial at Beijing 2008, will also be delighted with a first Commonwealth Games medal, particularly as she has announced the road race on Sunday (August 3) will be her final race before retirement. 

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