Romana Labounková of the Czech Republic successfully defended her 4X Mountain Bike World Championship title in Val di Sole ©Getty Images

Romain Mayet and Romana Labounková were crowned the men's and women's champions, respectively, at the International Cycling Union (UCI) 4X Mountain Bike World Championships as the competition came to a thrilling conclusion in Val di Sole in Italy.

France's Mayet had qualified for the elimination stage in tenth place but he had the bit between his teeth this evening to see off his main rivals and claim his first world title.

The 26-year-old, silver medallist at the 2014 BMX European Cycling Championships, edged out Britain's Elliott Heap to secure gold.

Sweden's Felix Beckeman claimed third in the final with Slovenia's Urban Rotnik taking fourth position.

Tomáš Slavík of the Czech Republic won bronze in Val di Sole last year and topped the rankings after yesterday's qualification round but was forced to settle for fifth place after failing to progress to the final shootout.

Slavík's Czech counterpart Labounková claimed the honours in the women's final.

The defending champion, who represented her country in BMX racing at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, held off Britain's Natasha Bradley for the title as Germany's Raphaela Richter trailed behind in fourth spot.

Mathilde Bernard of France finished in third place.

The UCI Moutain Bike World Cup got underway in Val di Sole with the cross country short track finals and downhill qualifications.

Mathieu Van der Poel from the Netherlands and Switzerland's Jolanda Neff claimed victories as heavy rain ravaged the difficult Black Snake course.

Van der Poel crossed the line in 20min 31sec for the maximum 10 points, with Brazilian Henrique Avancini in second place, five seconds adrift.

Netherlands rider Mathieu Van Der Poel won the men's cross county short course World Cup event in Val di Sole, Italy ©UCI
Netherlands rider Mathieu Van Der Poel won the men's cross county short course World Cup event in Val di Sole, Italy ©UCI

Belgium's Jens Schuermans was third in 20:45, with Ondřej Cink of the Czech Republic and Swiss world champion Nino Schurter finishing in the same time for fourth and fifth position, respectively.

Neff finished two seconds clear of compatriot Sina Frei to claim the women's World Cup victory in 20:24.

Third place went to Pauline Ferrand Prevot of France in 20:32.

Briton Joe Breeden topped the men's elite downhill qualification round.

The 20-year-old clocked 4min 07.982sec to lead the charts with 50 points as Davide Palazzari finished second in 4.09.065.

Faustin Figaret of France qualified in third spot, less than a second behind the Italian in 4.09.965.

The women's elite downhill qualifying round saw Australian Tracey Hannah complete the course in 4.32.976 to lead the standings.

Marine Caribou of France was second in 4.34.432 with Italy's Veronika Widdman qualifying in third place in 4.38.321.