Zac Purchase said: "I always knew it was going to be down to the last 500m. I was down a little bit longer than I thought I was going to be. There was always the struggle to stay ahead. It's just the challenge of staying ahead.

"I felt the Spaniard edging closer. I just had to stay ahead for another ten strokes!"

It was a good day for Britain with GB's coxless four also claiming gold as they defended their title.

Peter Reed, Steve Williams, Alex Partridge and Andy Triggs Hodge faced tough competition and had to dig deep.