The Frenchman, the Olympic champion at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, will seek to continue his recent domination of the men’s cross-country competition and will claim the title for a fifth consecutive time if he is successful.

However, he will expect to face competition from the Czech Republic’s Jaroslav Kulhavy.

Kulhavy was the winner of the event in 2010 and 2011.

Marco Aurelio Fontana will carry Italian hopes, with the 2010 and 2013 bronze medallist being joined by team-mates Luca and Daniele Braidot, Andrea Tiberi and Gioele Bertolini.

Switzerland’s Jolanda Neff will hope for a hat-trick of victories in the women’s cross-country event, with Slovenia’s two-time champion Tanja Zalelj aiming to rival her for top spot.

Linda Indergrand and Katrin Stirnemann of Switzerland will also hope to challenge for the podium, while Maja Wloszczowska of Poland and France’s Pauline Ferrand Prevot could also feature prominently.

“Darfo Boario Terme is preparing to offer a unique and unprecedented spectacle,” said Ezio Maffi, President of organisers AS Boario.

“In addition to the prestige offered by such an important continental show, we will offer to the general public the unmissable opportunity to see action.

“The best bikers to date are in fact the protagonists of the world stage, those who occupy the top position of the current specialty rankings and are among the most titled athletes ever.”

A total of 36 nations are expected to compete at the Championships across four days of competition.

Team relay action will take place tomorrow, with eliminator competition on the following day.

Junior races will be held on Saturday (July 29), along with the women’s under-23 race.

The men’s under-23 event and elite races will bring the Championships to a close on Sunday (July 30).