She came home to win in 3min 11.034sec, becoming the first Slovakian world champion in the sport.

Marianne Fatton of Switzerland took silver 2.971 seconds behind in a time of 3:14.005.

Bronze went to Emily Harrop of France, who was 5.214 seconds back as she claimed bronze in 3:16.248.

Harrop, who had been in top form in the weeks leading into the competition had held a slight advantage in the early part of the race but made a mistake on the first transition which allowed Jagerčíková to seize the advantage which she held to the end.

"It was the last title I was missing," admitted Jagerčíková, who had twice been silver medallist.

"It may be my last chance, as I am now 37.

"The race was hard, but I like to race at altitude. 

"We were together with Emily, but I focused on myself and pushed to the finish."

There was also a first time winner in the men’s sprint and to the delight of the home fans it was Oriol Cardona Coll of Spain.

He had won European gold on the same course last year and came home to win in 2:35.218.

"I was worried that I wouldn't make it to the final, but in the end, it worked out, and I was more at ease in the final," he said.

"It was special to race at home, I want to thank all my friends and family who supported me."

Cardona Coll’s margin of victory was an impressive 6.663 seconds over Thibault Anselmet of France, who took silver in 2:41.881.

He overtook compatriot Robin Galindo who was forced to settle for bronze in 2:46.811.

There was some consolation for Galindo who took the world under-23 title.

The sprint event is set to be part of the Olympic programme at Milan Cortina 2026.