Reymond is a specialist in the gruelling long distance racing, having secured European titles in 2014 and 2016.

But, after over five hours of racing, it was his sprinting which propelled him to gold in a thrilling finish.

The 23-year-old held off Italian rival Matteo Furlan to win by just 0.60 seconds in 5 hours 02min 47.00sec.

Evgenii Drattcev of Russia finished just 3.40 seconds behind the winner in third.

It marked France's fourth gold medal of the week on Lake Balaton after victories for Marc-Antoine Olivier in the men's 5km, Aurélie Muller in the women's 10km and for the mixed relay team.

Brazil's Ana Marcela Cunha also claimed a third title in the women's 25km event today.

The 25-year-old clocked 5:21:58.40 to narrowly edge out Dutch rival Sharon van Rouwendaal and follow her 2011 and 2015 victories.

It also marked her first victory of the Championships after 5km and 10km bronzes.

Van Rouwendaal, the reigning 10km Olympic champion, took the silver medal 2.40 seconds behind.

Arianna Bridi of Italy took third, 9.80 seconds behind the winner after the trio had broken clear of the rest of the field.

Russia continued their domination in synchronised swimming elsewhere today by winning the team free final.

They scored 97.3000 points to comfortably defeat China, second with 95.2333, and Ukraine, third with 93.9333.

Russia has now taken six out of seven available gold medals in the discipline.

Second place behind Italy in the mixed duet technical event is the only blemish.