The three-time world champion crossed the line in 1hr 30min 13sec to secure the gold medal as drama unfolded in the battle for silver.

Poland’s Maja Wloszczowska was well positioned, narrowly in front of Sabine Spitz of Germany, before both riders suffered flat tires on the final lap.

Lea Davison of the United States, who was fourth going into the final circuit of the track, was the main beneficiary of the disaster for the Polish and German competitors as she clinched second place, over a minute adrift of Langvad.

Canada’s Emily Batty clocked 1:31:57 to ensure she took home the bronze medal in a chaotic finish to the race, held over 23.3 kilometres.

Wloszczowska managed to recover to challenge for the bronze but she was edged out by the narrowest of margins.

The plaudits rightly went the way of Langvad, whose win in the Czech town handed her a fourth world title.

“I knew on this course you have to be at the front because there are so many places you can't overtake," the Dane said.

"This year I feel so good.

“I arrived [at the Worlds] with lots of confidence and I kept everything together. 

"I knew I didn't have to overdo things, because I knew I was strong.

“When you're at the front you can ride your own race and you can also make a few mistakes, because nobody rides this race on this course without making a few mistakes."

In the other race to be held on the penultimate day of the event, New Zealand’s Sam Gaze sealed the men’s under 23 honours in a time of 1:17:57.

Victor Koretzky of France raced home to claim silver, with Switzerland’s Marcel Guerrini doing enough for bronze.

The World Championships conclude tomorrow with the men’s elite race.