Anna Meares of Australia took the gold medal in the 500 meter time trial today at the World Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark, besting defending champion and reigning world record holder Simona Krupeckaite of Lithuania and Olga Panarina of Belarus, who finished in second and third respectively.

Meares, who brought home Australia’s only track medal from the Beijing Olympics in 2008, set a personal best time of 33.381 seconds to secure her third world title in the discipline.

Her success comes only days after the death of her grandmother and her husband’s grandfather, making the occasion an emotional one.

“When I crossed the line and saw the 33.3 I thought it was a great time, but I wasn’t sure that was going to win it,” Meares told AFP afterwards.

“It was so tight, right down to the line but I’m so pleased that I’ve won this.

“My Nan passed away two weeks ago and my husband’s grandfather passed away two days ago, so I had a bit of extra spirit on my shoulders tonight.

“To come away with such a good performance, I’m so happy.”

Krupeckaite took her first 500 meter world title last year, setting a new world record of 33.296. Her effort was enough to send Meares into second, with Britain’s Victoria Pendleton finishing third. Today the Lithuanian looked set to repeat her feat, clocking the fastest first lap at 14.498, but she faded by the time she reached the finish

“She actually comes home harder in the second lap than she does going out in the first lap so I thought that I was actually in quite significant trouble,” explained Meares.

“It was a little bit unlucky for her not to come home as strongly as she normally does, but credit to her. She’s a phenomenal rider, and for me to beat her I feel quite privileged.

“I’ve got a full program of four events here, so it’s off to the perfect start for me.”

2010 World Championship 500 meter time trial results:
1. Anna Meares (AUS) 33.381sec
2. Simona Krupeckaite (LTU) 33.462
3. Olga Panarina (BLR) 33.779
4. Willy Kanis (NED) 33.801
5. Sandie Clair (FRA) 33.992
6. Kaarle McCulloch (AUS) 34.349
7. Miriam Welte (GER) 34.407
8. Jinjie Gong (CHN) 34.538
9. Lisandra Guerra (CUB) 34.674
10. Junhong Lin (CHN) 34.803
11. Sze Wai Lee (HKG) 34.974
12. Jessica Varnish (GBR) 34.992,
13. Virginie Cueff (FRA) 35.017
14. Monique Sullivan (CAN) 35.334
15. Yvonne Hijgenaar (NED) 35.418
16. Rebecca James (GBR) 35.515
17. Olga Streltsova (RUS) 35.601
18. Gintare Gaivenyte (LTU) 35.603
19. Helena Casas (ESP) 35.778
20. Renata Dabrowska (POL) 35.864
21. Elisa Frisoni (ITA) 36.255