Lizzie Armitstead admitted she had to pinch herself in amazement as the 2014 Commonwealth Games road race champion added the world title to her already impressive CV.

In the 2014 World Championships Armitstead failed to live up to her billing as one of the pre-race favourites and eventually crossed the finish line in seventh, despite having won gold at Glasgow 2014 a little over a month previously.

But the 26-year-old ensured there would be no repeat this time around as she hit the front with a kilometre to go before holding off any late attacks to cross the line first.

It was an impressive finish for Armitstead who at one stage was a minute down on the break with 19km to go, but led the fightback, leaving just enough energy to take the sprint to the finish.

“This is the big one. To get to wear the rainbow jersey – it’s the most special thing in cycling – so to wear that is a dream come true,” she said.

“I just could not believe it, I did not get to celebrate as I was really going all out for the line. I was on the front, I was just waiting for the rush to come and it never came.

“I had to be patient in the race. With two laps to go I tested them on the steep cobbled climb. I thought maybe people would come across with me but they didn’t. I’m grateful that other teams had people in the front.

“It’s really strange, I can’t believe I have won, I’m still in shock.”

© Sportsbeat 2015