Valentina Höll won Austria's first downhill world title in the elite category at the Mountain Bike World Championships ©Getty Images

Valentina Höll has become the first Austrian to win a downhill world title in the elite category at the International Cycling Union (UCI) Mountain Bike World Championships, while home favourite Loïc Bruni claimed his fifth title in Les Gets in France.

Höll, a former junior world champion, initially led by four seconds before her lead was cut to just a second in the women's downhill.

However, no opponent could beat her time of 3min 53.857sec as former champion Camille Balanche of Switzerland failed to match pace following her recent injury.

Germany's Nina Hoffmann sealed silver by finishing 0.906 slower than Höll.

While Myriam Nicole was unable to defend her title, she was able to consolidate third place after coming 3.447sec after the Austrian.

In the men's elite downhill event, France enjoyed a clean sweep as Bruni proved once again why he is star of the show.

Bruni clocked at 3:20.47 to time 2.58sec faster than Amaury Pierron and 3.386 quicker than Loris Vergier.

National champion Benoît Coulanges was unable to dazzle the home crowd, coming 10th in the standings and 4.991sec behind the race winner.

"I couldn't believe I could do it," Bruni said.

"This season was not the best one, I tried my best to be ready.

"I enjoyed the run so much, I made the best of it.

"I've never won in France and it's the UCI World Championships, it's insane, I'm so happy."