Vlad Dascalu of Romania celebrates victory ©UCI

Vlad Dascalu of Romania won gold in the men's under-23 cross country competition at the International Cycling Union (UCI) Mountain Bike World Championships in Canada.

The 22-year old is the current UCI under-23 World Cup leader, continuing his successful season with a world title at Mont-Sainte-Anne Bike Park in Quebec.

He triumphed in 1 hour 19min 50sec, having taken an unassailable 46-second lead at the halfway point of the 24 kilometre race. 

Cyclists from Switzerland completed the podium, with Filippo Colombo finishing 1:57 behind Dascalu to take silver.

Vital Albin was the bronze medallist, crossing the line 19 seconds after his compatriot. 

Qualifying races in elite downhill competition saw Myriam Nicole of France record the fastest time of 5:22.297 in the women's event. 

Britain's Danny Hart was top qualifier in the men's race, finishing in 4:27.353.

The women's under-23 title will be awarded tomorrow, followed by the gold-medal races in the men and women's elite cross country competition.