Australian cyclist Jack Bobridge on his way to winning the gold medal in the men's individual pursuit at the Commonwealth Games. Picture: Kevin Frayer. Source: AP

WHEN a cycling luminary such as Lance Armstrong labels you "the real deal", winning is the only option.

Australian cycling prodigy Jack Bobridge yesterday did that and more, capping an opening night of domination at the Indira Gandi Stadium.

Bobridge is considered Australian cycling's brightest young star, and he franked that title with gold in the 400m individual pursuit.

The 21-year-old held off fast-finishing New Zealand rider Jesse Sergant in a time of 4min 1.495 sec, with fellow Australian Michael Hepburn picking up bronze. Bobridge had entered the final having already broken Brad McGee's Games record by nearly 2sec in his heat.

But seemingly cruising in the final against Sergent when 1.3sec up, the New Zealander began to close.

The South Australian held him off by just on four-tenths of a second for his first Commonwealth Games gold medal.

Bobridge said after such great expectations, he was relieved to finally win such a big individual event.

''I'm absolutely stoked. Words can't describe it. I have been striving for a long time now to get an individual gold medal and I have shown I have fast times, but I haven't been able to stand on top of the dais and take the gold medal home. It's unreal I have finally got one.''

Bobridge was part of the teams pursuit which won the gold medal at the recent world championships. But he knew he needed to perform on the biggest stage of the year.

Australia bombed out at the Beijing Games with just one silver medal, but Bobridge says national team is ready to take it up to Britain in 2012.

''I think Beijing was a real eye opener for all of us and a real kick up the butt. Since then we have changed a lot of things in the program and looked at it differently. We have come here and with the times we are donig and the three gold medals tonight, it has shown we are definitely back on track for London.

''We always watch each other, the Great Brits and the Kiwis and us, but we are showing we are doing world-class times. I think they will be definitely watching and they know we are coming, but at the same time we can't get ahead of ourselves because they are doing the same thing, so by London it will be a great show.''

The golden streak should continue in Delhi for Bobridge, who will also race in the teams pursuit and the 20km scratch race.