Nino Schurter fended off a puncture to lead Switzerland to victory in Les Gets ©Getty Images

Switzerland are the first gold medal winners of the 2022 International Cycling Union (UCI) Mountain Bike World Championships after sweeping up the cross-country team relay title in Les Gets.

The Swiss team, which included Nino Schurter and Ramona Forchini, sailed to a six-second victory over Italy, the silver medallists, and 14 seconds in front of third-place United States.

A total of 18 nations competed to knock 2021 champions France - the hosts - off their perch with each team featuring a representative from the men’s and women’s elite, under-23, and junior categories.

One rider would contest a lap each, leading to teams needing to deploy tactics to out-think their opponents across six laps.

A French victory would have given the nation three consecutive titles in this discipline.

However, Switzerland had other ideas as they achieved their fourth title in six years and their eighth overall.

Italy’s Luca Braidot came out of the blocks quickly to establish a 20 second gap over the US’ Christopher Blevins.

At the beginning of the second lap, France bolted into the lead with Denmark 19 seconds behind and New Zealand and the US both hot on their tail.

For Britain, the odds were against them as they fell more than one minute behind.

When Loana Lecomte took over the reigns for France at the halfway mark, they had created a 43 second lead over Italy in second while the Dutch, Swiss, American and Australian teams were further back.

France continued to establish their dominance by extending their lead over the second place team, now Switzerland, on lap four.

However, momentum shifted on lap five and the gap closed, leaving Schurter to race for the final round.

The nine-time cross-country world champion once again proved his prowess by battling a puncture to race to victory in 1min 17.14sec.

Trailing Italy and the US were Denmark and, now, former champions France.

Switzerland’s gold medal winning team consisted of Anina Hutter, Dario Lillo, Khalid Sidahmed, Forchini, Ronja Blöchlinger, and Schurter.

The silver medallists for Italy were Braidot, Giada Specia, Marco Betteo, Martina Berta, Simone Avondetto, and Valentina Corvi.

The US’ bronze medallists were Bailey Cioppa, Blevins, Cayden Parker, Haley Batten, Madigan Munro, and Riley Amos.

Competition is due to continue tomorrow.