Matthews, O'Connor, Vine, Brown, Chapman and Roseman-Gannon capture mixed relay team time trial gold for Australia at the 2024 World Championships

In a truly thrilling edition of the mixed relay team time trial at the 2024 World Championships in Switzerland, gold has gone to the Australian team of Michael Matthews, Ben O'Connor, Jay Vine, Grace Brown, Brodie Chapman and Ruby Roseman-Gannon ahead of Germany and Italy.

There was something of a shambles at the end of the first legs as when the Algerian men reached their finish the line, the commissaires sent away the UCI World Cycling Centre's ladies instead of the North African nation. When the male UCI team finished a few moments later, the Algerian women were then finally sent on their way. From the first block of teams, the pace setters turned out to be Ukraine, setting a benchmark time of 1:19.52.

Once the second, stronger block of teams departed, the drama continued. After just four minutes of riding, defending champions Switzerland already looked in trouble as Johan Jacobs dropped away, leaving just the 2 remaining men to battle on for the remainder of the course.

After all the men finished their respective efforts, it was the Australians who'd set the fastest time, 7 seconds clear of Italy, although 21 and 22 seconds back, both France and Germany were also still very much in the mix at the changeover.

Canada were the first of the second wave to finish, moving into the hotseat more than four minutes quicker than Ukraine. Their time was soon bettered by Denmark though, by around 35 seconds. The Danes didn't last long though as Germany destroyed their time by more than a couple of minutes. In a thrilling fight to the line, Australia just edged past the Germans by .8 of a second to move into the provisional lead. The next team to have real gold chance was Italy, but clocking just over 8 seconds slower than Australia, it was third place for the Italians.