Jamie Whitmore was one of two home winners as the World Championships began ©UCI Para-Cycling/Twitter

Jamie Whitmore secured gold on a successful opening day for the host nation at the International Cycling Union (UCI) Para-Cycling Track World Championships in Los Angeles.

The California-based star dominated to win the women's C3 500 metres time trial by nearly half a second.

She finished in 43.640sec to win comfortably over Australian rival Simone Kennedy, who managed 44.171.

Only two women had entered the event in a competition marred by low entries. 

“It feels good to win the World Championships in my own state, not just my country, I’m from California so I’m very excited to be wearing this medal,” Whitmore said.

"It seems a little bit low key, with a lot of countries missing and last year being a Paralympic year, but at the same time it’s fun coming to something with a little bit less stress and have fun."

Her United States team-mate Joe Berenyi was similarly successful in the men's C3 1km time trial as he triumphed in 1:09.296.

He finished nearly a second and a half faster than David Nicholas of Australia.

Full results for this event have not yet been published.

Joe Berenyi also claimed a home victory on the first day of competition ©UCI Para-Cycling/Twitter
Joe Berenyi also claimed a home victory on the first day of competition ©UCI Para-Cycling/Twitter

Canada also claimed two gold medals on a good opening day for North America.

Ross Wilson won the C1 1,000m time trial in 1:18.925 to beat Darcy Thompson of Australia, in 1:21.977, and US home Todd Key, in 1:23.201

Tristen Chernove then triumphed in the corresponding C2 event.

His time of 1:15.005 saw him finish comfortably clear of Japan's Kentaro Aizono, who managed 1:17.61.

Ivo Koblasa of Czech Republic finished a further tenth of a second back in third.

However, there was some European success as Sophie Thornhill and Corrine Hall beat British team-mates Lora Fachie and Hazel MacLeod in the women's tandem 3,000m pursuit final.

Thornhill and Hall triumphed by 1.97sec in 1:13.01.

Belgium’s Griet Hoet and Anneleen Monsieur won the bronze medal race in 1:15.11.

A total of 80 riders have entered the event at the VELO Sports Center in Carson, which would play host to cycling if Los Angeles is successful with its bid for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

This is less than half of the 215 competitors who took part at the 2016 edition of the event in Montichiari in Italy.

The short notice period athletes given by the UCI has been widely blamed.