The final climb of the New York Knickerbocker proved crucial in both races, which were held in a scratch race format over 54.9 kilometres, two and a half laps of the circuit, ending with a 1.4km climb.

The women’s race was the first to take place, with a virtual peloton of 84 riders taking the start.

One third of participants qualified through continental races on Zwift with the rest selected by National Federations.

An early split saw the race break up and the final stages saw various riders attack before being caught.

Heading into the final kilometre defending champion Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio of South Africa moved to the front at the bottom of the last climb.

Moolman-Pasio used a PowerUp, an option that reduces the rider’s virtual weight by 10 per cent for 15 seconds, with 700 metres to go but was not able to break clear of her rivals.

Going into the final 500 metres Adegeest used a PowerUp option which helped her take a narrow victory from Sweden’s Cecilia Hansen.

The bronze medal went to Britain’s Zoe Langham with Moolman Pasio in fourth and Liz Van Houweling of the United States claiming fifth.

In the men’s race a virtual peloton of 83 riders started, with Germany’s Jason Osborne, the defending champion, among the field.

Six riders went clear heading into the final 15 kilometres of the race, and despite the leading group still holding an advantage at the foot of the final climb, Vine led the chasers as they closed the gap on the leaders to a few seconds in the final kilometre.

Osborne used his PowerUp option as he went for glory, but Vine caught him inside the final 100 metres as he triumphed.

Fellow Australian Freddy Ovett won the silver medal with defending champion Osborne earning the final place on the podium.

All competitors in both the men's and women's races were sent Wahoo Kickr V5 hardware bikes, to ensure all riders were using the same equipment, with racing taking place on virtual platform Zwift.