The 2019 European champion from Switzerland kept in touch with leaders Mona Mitterwallner of Austria and compatriot Ronja Bl0chlinger through the opening lap at Mont-Sainte-Anne Bike Park in Quebec.

Schneebeli and Mitterwallner forged ahead after lap three, before the Swiss star Schneebeli opened a gap of over one minute to her Austrian rival.

Schneebeli clocked one hour 5min 05sec for victory as Mitterwallner was second in 1:06.11.

Norway's Helene Marie Fossesholm took bronze in 1:08.14 as she held off Kata Blanka Vas of Italy and Australian Zoe Cuthbert.

The junior men's race saw an even tighter affair as the lead changed hands four times in the opening two laps.

British duo Harry Birchill and Charlie Aldridge jostled for the lead before Canadian Carter Woods and Andreas Vittone of Italy challenged.

The Italian junior champion maintained his place at the front of the field for the majority of the race.

Just four seconds separated the top five at the end of lap three, and only Vittone and Aldridge remained in the fight for gold on the following lap.

Heading into the final lap, Frenchman Luca Martin closed on the duo, and as Aldridge surged ahead in the closing stages, it was Martin who pushed past Vittone to claim silver, as the Italian settled for bronze.

Aldridge took gold in 1:07.31, with Martin second 11 seconds behind.

Vittone completed the podium in 1:07.51.

The World Championships continue tomorrow with downhill qualification and the men's under-23 cross-country final.