In a haunting reminder of the misfortune which cost Saville the Olympic title at the Sydney 2000 Games, Tallent had just taken the lead with two kilometres remaining when she was red-carded for a third time.

Tallent slumped to the road and burst into tears as she watched teammate Jemima Montag sail past her to collect the gold medal.

The 20-year-old from Melbourne, who was competing for the just the third time in the 20km event, had been leading for most of the race and was only a couple of metres behind Tallent when she was disqualified.

“That’s not the way I wanted to win the gold medal,” Montag said. “I guess you have to stay in the moment and roll with what is happening and not let it take your focus away.

“It’s really hard and really unfortunate. Claire is a beautiful person, she has come back time and time again and she will come back stronger.”

Saville was disqualified with just 100 metres remaining as she entered the Sydney Olympic Stadium.

Tallent, who won the silver medal when the event was last in the Games in 2010, had fought just to get to the start line on the Gold Coast.

The 36-year-old was hit by a car two weeks before the national titles which was just eight months after giving birth to son Harvey.

She finished second to seal selection for the Games and carried the hopes of her household given her husband Jared, the 2012 Olympic champion, was out injured.

“I sent Jared a text last night saying I was feeling something today. I really thought it was my day,” an emotional Tallent said.

“I think I paced the race perfectly. I knew I had to make a move earlier rather than later and I seemed to pick up two red cards when that happened.

“Then I sat back and let the race unfold, I felt as fresh as a daisy and ready to sprint home and enjoy the moment.

“I didn’t even seem to get cautions, I don’t know.

“It was such a big effort for us to have a family and I am so thrilled with our little boy and I wanted to show the world that women that have babies can do anything.

“They can come back and be competitive. You don’t have to stop doing what you love because you are having a baby.

“I’m old and all credit to Jemima, she is a great girl and she is going to carry the flag for many many more years to come but I just thought it was my day.”

Montag took the gold medal in 1hr32min50sec from her training partner, New Zealand’s Alana Barber, who was more than a minute behind.

It was a tough day for the third Australian and race favourite Beki Smith who finished sixth.