VERONA, Italy (AFP) - Olympic silver medallist Judith Arndt of Germany crowned a brave attack in the final kilometres of the women's road race to claim a deserved gold here at the world cycling championships.
Arndt, 28, crossed the finish line after the 132.75km race in a time of 3hr 44min 38secs to leave a host of favourites, including Britain's Nicole Cooke, way down the standings.
Italian Tatiana Guderzo came second at 10secs behind with Norwegian champion Anita Valen claiming bronze 12secs off the pace.
Arndt, whose defiant middle-finger salute, aimed at German federation chiefs at the Olympics, caused a furore in Athens, attacked a leading group of six riders following the ninth and final climb of the decisive three-kilometre Torricelle climb.
Her determined drive for the finish line, as a bunch of favourites bearing down in the home straight failed to catch her, handed her a first world road race title and Germany's first in the women's event for 23 years.
Cooke, who finished third last year and had a disappointing Olympics, finished past 20th place, and behind French veteran Jeannie Longo.
"It's a wonderful feeling, and a great day for German women's cycling," said a delighted Arndt, whose eyes were swelling up as she enjoyed her moment of glory on the podium.
It was a far cry from her sullen reaction to winning the Olympic silver medal behind Australian Sara Carrigan a month ago.
As she crossed the finish line in Athens, Arndt aimed a defiant gesture at federation bosses who did not select her lesbian lover Petra Rossner for that race.
"If the nomination had been given to Petra and she had been on the start line then things would have been different," Arndt said in Athens.
However Arndt admitted she had not been angered this time by her partner's non-selection.
In fact, Rossner had an indirect hand in her win, the 37-year-old German yelling encouragement from the German team car in the final few kilometres of the race.
"I attacked at the right time, the last 300 metres for me were the hardest," added Arndt.
"But I knew I had the race almost won. The team car was driving alongside me encouraging me, and Petra was in the car.
"This time I wasn't angry she was not picked."
Arndt's audacious attack - although coming early - proved to be the decisive one of the day after several earlier in the race had led to nothing.
The leading group took a long time to react to her attack over three kilometres from the finish.
Italian Guderzo admitted she had planned all along to go for it after the final climb of the Torricelle.
"The strategy for us all along had been to control the race then attack on the Torricelle, and the team worked great throughout," said the 20-year-old Guderzo.
"I still had a hope of catching Arndt, but I was watching the group behind me closely too. I only turned round to look at them 300 metres from the finish line."
Vatel took her country's first medal in the event since Monica Valvik claimed the gold medal in 1994 at Capo d'Orlando.