The Dane had finished as the runner-up at last year’s Championships in Qatar’s capital Doha, but he upgraded to gold by a convincing margin in Norway.

Bjerg completed the 37.2 kilometre course in a blistering time of 47min and 6.48sec to put himself in pole position for the world title.

The 18-year-old was forced to wait for over two hours to see whether his efforts would be enough, with many riders still yet to take to the course.

He was eventually able to celebrate the victory, which marked a reversal of the top two positions from last year’s podium.

American Brandon McNulty, the winner in Doha, finished as the silver medallist by achieving a time of 48:12.40.

It marked an impressive recovery for the American rider, who fractured his pelvis in March.

The podium was rounded off by France’s Corentin Ermenault, as he came across the line in 48:23.13.

Ermenault had to battle to secure the bronze medal, with Luxembourg’s Tom Wirtgen ending just one second off the pace.

There was further success for Italian cyclist Elena Pirrone, as she added to junior world title to the European time trial gold medal she earned in Denmark last month.

Pirrone completed the 16.1km course in a time of 23:19.72 to take the victory in Bergen.

She would finish narrowly clear of her team-mate Alessia Vigilia, who ensured an Italian one-two by finishing six seconds off the pace.

The pair would enjoy a clear gap to the bronze medallist, with Australia’s Madeleine Fasnacht completing the top three in a time of 24:02.04.

The junior men’s and women’s elite time trial races are due to take place tomorrow, with both held over 21.1km.

Amber Neben of the United States won the elite women’s event last year.