The 22-year-old snatched victory from the Republic of Ireland's Ryan Mullen by just less than half-a-second after a close battle against the clock.

The powerful Australian came fourth last year and fought all the way to the line to finish the 36.15 kilometres course in 43min 49sec. 

Mullen had to accept defeat and the silver medal, while Switzerland's Stefan Küng, the current European under-23 road race and time trial champion, finished third, nine seconds slower.

"I was thinking about last year, getting fourth and coming so close to the medals," said Flakemore.

"This is my last year as an under-23 and I really wanted it today.

"My exhaustion at the finish really showed that.

"I knew in the first two time checks that I was down on Ryan.

"I knew I had to leave a lot in the tank for the last 5km and I think I got a lot back."

Macey Stewart dominated the women's junior individual time trial ©Getty Images




Earlier in the day, Flakemore's compatriot Macey Stewart pulled on the rainbow jersey after dominating the women's junior individual time trial.

The 18-year-old negotiated a 13.9km course in 20:08, 10 seconds faster than runner-up Pernille Mathiesen of Denmark and 13 seconds ahead of fellow Australian Anna-Leeza Hull in third.

"I didn't expect this at all," said Stewart.

"It's a very surreal feeling.

"I was excited to see how flat the course was when I got here because I've just come from the track Worlds in Korea and I didn't really have the road training in my legs.

"The weather wasn't the greatest but to be honest I love racing in the rain so when I saw the weather this morning, I got a little bit excited.