In stark contrast to the tearful teenager who missed out on competing at last year's London Olympics, Cure was all smiles after finishing second in the 3000-metre individual pursuit won by American Sarah Hammer for a remarkable fifth time. 

``I came in here and wanted to go better than last year,'' said Cure, of West Pine, who was fourth at the 2012 titles in Melbourne. 

``I can't complain about a silver medal. Sarah Hammer is an awesome rider, she's in a league of her own, but I'm really happy with how I went.''

In the Belarusian capital Minsk, Cure, who turned 20 on New Year's Eve, qualified second fastest in 3:33.366, three seconds behind Hammer.

In the final she established an early lead of a second before the 29-year-old experienced American reeled her in to win by eight seconds in 3:32.050.

``I went out really fast and I paid for that in the end,'' Cure added. ``I would have liked to have ridden a better time but I'm still happy with my silver medal.''

South Australia's Annette Edmondson, winner of three major wheelraces at this summer's Tasmanian carnivals series, defeated Canada's Laura Brown in the battle for bronze.

Edmondson, a former sprinter who also claimed bronze in the omnium at the London Olympics, was the first rider to post a qualifying time in the afternoon session and had to endure a nervous wait to see if she would compete for a medal. As it turned out it was Cure, riding in the last heat, that bumped Edmondson into the bronze medal final.

``It was tough watching each round go past and it came to the final round and at one stage Ames was in the lead, then behind, then she came back strong,'' Edmondson explained. 

``I was shaking, nervous and felt pretty sick but if it was to be anyone to beat me I'm glad it was my teammate.''

Both Aussies were expected to ride in the team pursuit in the early hours of this morning.

There was more joy for the Edmondson clan later in the evening when younger brother Alex was a member of team pursuit quartet _ also including Tassie carnivals king Glenn O'Shea _ which avenged defeats by the Brits at last year's worlds and Olympics.