Switzerland thrive against the clock to successfully defend World Championship title in mixed relay team time-trial

Switzerland have successfully defended their mixed relay team time-trial World Championships, edging out the French team by just seven seconds.

The Mixed Time-Trial, one of the newest World Championship events which sees national teams roll out two lineups of three men and women to ride a team time-trial each.

The first team to finish both men's and women's efforts was Uzbekistan, setting an early benchmark of 59:42.

As more and more teams were out on the course, some of the elite men began the efforts. Spain, Kazakhstan and Poland's male teams bettered the early times before the United States powered into the lead at the halfway point.

The French men then finished their effort even quicker again, clocking 25:59, an impressive 20 seconds faster than the U.S.A.

At the finish line, Spain, who were riding in memory of the legendary Frederico Bahamontes set the quickest time. Before they could get comfortable in the hot seat however, Poland came through even quicker at 57:03.

There was a nightmare start for the Australian men as Luke Plapp crashed out on the very first corner. Meanwhile, the United States improved upon the Polish time at the finish, 56:02 before the French went yet faster, clocking a time of 54:23.

The Dutch team were heavily fancied going in but even before Daan Hoole crashed they were struggling to match the time of the French.

Italy's men then powered their way to the line, edging out their French counterparts by just five seconds to move quickest at the halfway mark. Not for long though as soon after, Stefan Kung and Mauro Schmid crossed the line for Switzerland, Stefan Bissegger having been dropped for the new fastest time after the men, 25:35.

Disaster also struck for both the Swiss and the Italian women. Firstly Marlen Reusser crashed for Switzerland and then Silvia Persico required a bike change for the Italians.

When Australia crossed the finish line in provisional fourth place, France were guaranteed a medal with just Italy and Switzerland to come. What colour would it be though?

Italy couldn't do it, finishing outside the podium places, leaving only Reusser and Elise Chabbey able to break French hearts.

Safely round the final corner, Switzerland crossed the line 7 seconds quicker, defending their title and taking the win.