Fabian Cancellara beat Great Britain’s David Millar to claim a record fourth World Championship time trial gold in Geelong, Australia.

Swiss Cancellara, the Olympic champion, clocked 58 minutes, 9.19 seconds over the 45.8km course to come home more than a minute ahead of Millar.

Germany’s Tony Martin finished in 59 minutes, 21 seconds to complete the podium.

Millar’s silver is Great Britain’s second medal of the championships, after Emma Pooley claimed women’s time trial gold. 

“I’m really happy to have done this a fourth time,” said Cancellara.

“It’s maybe the hardest of all my wins because leading up to this I wasn’t sure of my condition.

“The other guys went really well but I just tried to do what I can. I think today I employed the perfect tactic.

“People always think Cancellara is always going to win, but that is not always true.

“I had to find another motivation, the motivation was to make history and that is what helped me stay focused. Even if a rider is always winning, he can still have bad days.

“I want to enjoy this. Tomorrow morning when I wake up, then it’s another day.”

Cancellara arrived in Australia as overwhelming favourite despite finishing third in the recent Vuelta a Espana individual time trial. 

And the 29-year-old delivered a dominant ride to match his formidable reputation.

The Team Saxo Bank rider, who has won seven stages of the Tour de France, narrowly missed a barrier midway round the course but eventually cruised to victory. 

Millar’s performance secured the 33-year-old his second World Championship silver medal, after the Scot finished second in Lisbon in 2001. 

The Garmin-Transitions rider won the title in 2003 but was later stripped of his title after admitting to doping. 

Millar, who led Cancellara through the first two time checks, said: “”Congratulations to Fabian, there is no doubt that he is a phenomenon.”

“I came here to get on the podium and I achieved it. I am very happy with my ride.

“My power was good, but I need to be faster and corner faster to beat Fabian.” 

Top 10 Results

1. Fabian Cancellara (SWI) 58:09.19″ 

2. David Millar (GBR) +1:02.75″ 

3. Tony Martin (GER) +1:12.49″

4. Richie Porte (AUS) +1:19.00″

5. Michael Rogers (AUS) +2:24.94″ 

6. Koos Moerenhout (NED) +2:40.69″ 

7. Luis Leon Sanchez (SPA) +2:44.23″ 

8. David Zabriskie (USA) +2:51.41″ 

9. Maciej Bodnar (POL) +3:00.70″ 

10. Gustav Larsson (SWE) +3:01.02″