Millar, who has become a powerful anti-doping advocate since he was stripped of the 2003 world time-trial gold medal, was the best of the rest behind Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland.

"I had a bit of an average Tour de France but it's ended up paying off for this because I was extra motivated for here and I felt good on the course, it's just a great feeling," Millar said.

The 33-year-old, who will compete for Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, then turned his attention to Sunday's (October 3) road race, when he could be picked for the three-man team hoping to put Mark Cavendish over the line first.

"We're all for Mark and we believe infinitely in him and when he puts something in his head, it normally pays off, so we'll see what happens," said Millar.

"It's all business until Sunday night, so we're all on now for the road race, I'm going to be fit enough and strong enough to help Mark as much as I can."

At the first split on the 45.8 kilometres route Millar was slightly ahead of Cancellara - Olympic champion and now the first in history to win four time-trial world titles - prompting hope of an unlikely victory over the all-conquering Swiss.

But Millar tired on the second half of the course and finished a minute and two seconds down on Cancellara, with Germany's Tony Martin third.

British Cycling's performance director David Brailsford said: "There are two gold medals, there is one for Fabian and one for everyone else.

"He is quite far ahead of everyone else, and he has been for some time."

Millar's medal is the second of the week for the British team after yesterday's win for Emma Pooley in the women's time-trial.

And there could be more with Pooley and Nicole Cooke contenders in the women's road race and Cavendish as a possible medallist in the men's.

Brailsford added:""I think that was the best ride of Dave's career.

"He came out and got right on it from the off. I think he has been exemplary in the last few days.

"In the run-up he has been the perfect team-mate, a good example to the young lads, fantastic with Mark [Cavendish] and he was out on the roadside cheering on Emma [Pooley] yesterday."


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