Li clocked in 31 minutes and 17.85 seconds to take the first cycling gold for the Chinese delegation.

"I felt happy to win the first cycling gold for my country. From the beginning, I planned well and was determined to win, and I did make it," said Li.

The flat, straight 23.86km course is one for the powerful time-triallists who can use bigger gears to power along without fear of losing momentum due to hills or turns.

"The road is good, and the surface is flat, which is good for the race," Li added.

From a three-woman breakaway group, the defending champion surged ahead early in the second lap, kept her composure and managed to maintain a significant gap, enough to keep her rivals away throughout the remainder of the race.

Zulfiya Zabirova of Kazakhstan, currently No. 14 in the UCI road rankings, got the silver in 32:10.24, and the bronze medal went to South Korean Lee Min Hye in 33:37.57.

Zabirova, who only finished sixth in women's individual road race yesterday, expressed her admiration for Li.

"The fight was between us. I have seen her several times in international competitions, but she has never performed like this," said Zabirova.

After failing to bring a gold medal for Kazakhstan, the former Russian cyclist set her eyes on 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

"It's my first medal for Kazakhstan and I feel proud. Of course, I will try to win more for Kazakhstan from now on, at world championship and in Beijing (Olympics)," added Zabirova.