South Americans dominated the first day of road World Championship action in Nanjing ©FIRS

South American skaters continued to dominate at the World Speed Skating Championships close to the Olympic Gymnasium in Nanjing as road action got underway.

Colombia's Fabriana Arias won a five way sprint for the line in the women's 20km elimination race. 

She edged ahead of Italian rival Francesca Lollobrigida in the final metres as Mayra Yaquel Arias slumped to bronze.

There was success for Chile at the other end of the female distance spectrum as Maia Jose Moya Sepulveda triumphed in the 100m sprint.

She was closely followed by Colombian Yesenia Escobar while Laethisia Schimek of Germany took bronze.

Luis Martinez Morales Jorge was the day's only non-South American winner in the corresponding men's event.

The Mexican sprinted home to beat two European rivals in Spain's Ioseba Fernández and Germany's Simon Albrecht.

Thrillingly tight finishes marked the start of sprint road action in the Chinese city ©FIRS
Thrillingly tight finishes marked the start of sprint road action in the Chinese city ©FIRS

Ecuador's Gabriela Vargas dominated the women's 10,000 metres junior points race to deny China's Feng Huiyan a home victory.

Bronze was taken by Maria Fernanda Barros of Colombia.

Colombia won two other gold medals in junior events, however.

Saul Herreño won the men's 10,000m points race ahead of Italy's Daniele Di Stefano and American Caleb Wakefield.

Geiny Pajoro then won the women's 100m sprint.

Italy took another silver courtesy of Bonechi Giulia while Elisabeth Baier of Germany finished third.

The event in the Chinese city is due to continue tomorrow.