The 34-year-old was among the favourites heading into the event on a 21.1 kilometre course, but her compatriot Anna van der Breggen was also among the contenders.

Van der Breggen set the early standard as the second rider to begin the event, as she crossed in a time of 29min and 2sec.

She would be forced to wait for a further 52 riders to cross the line behind her, but her effort would not prove enough to secure the world title.

Van Vleuten would take the lead as she came from a second behind at the first time check to pull clear as her effort continued.

The Dutch national champion battled against a small shower of rain, but came across the line in a time of 28:50 to take the victory in front of her team-mate.

It marked the first time since France’s Jeannie Longo and Catherine Marsal in 1996 that two riders from the same country had won gold and silver in the women’s event.

The result also continued van Vleuten’s impressive run of results in 2017 as the Dutchwoman, who crashed when leading the Rio 2016 road race, has earned victories at La Course, the Ladies Tour of Holland and a third place finish at the Giro Rosa.

“This season I've surprised myself with what I can do," Van Vleuten said.

"To be world champion in the time trial, I never thought I’d be able to do this.”

"It was really hard because it started almost pouring rain on the course.

“I lost some seconds in the descents, I practised in dry conditions and I had to be really careful.

“But I was still focussed on what I needed to do.”

Australia’s Katrin Garfoot achieved a repeat of her bronze medal from last year’s World Championships, after she crossed the line 18.93 seconds down on the winner’s time.

The United States’ Chloe Dygert finished in fourth, 37.95 seconds off van Vleuten’s time.

Britain enjoyed their first success of the Championships, as Tom Pidcock secured victory in the men’s junior time trial.

He achieved a time of 28:02 to secure gold, adding to the junior cyclo-cross title he claimed earlier this year in Luxembourg.

Italy’s Antonio Puppio finished 11 seconds behind the British rider to earn the silver medal, while Poland’s Filip Maciejuk was a further two seconds back in third.

The men’s elite event is due to be held tomorrow over a 31 kilometre course, which features a tough climb and summit finish at Mount Floyen.

It will be the final time trial event held in Bergen at the Championships.