Each team consisted of an elite man, an elite woman, an under-23 man and a junior man taking turns on a swift circuit, and the French held off the challenge of Denmark, who took silver, and Italy, who claimed the bronze.

The French team of Victor Koretzky, Jordan Sarrou, Pauline Ferrand-Prevot and Antoine Philipp completed their four laps in a time of 52 min 43sec, ahead of the Danes, who clocked 53:09. 

Switzerland held the lead at the end of the first lap and were seven seconds ahead of Italy and nine in front of France, with Denmark down in fourth.

Florian Vogel passed off for the Swiss to team mate Jolanda Neff, but France powered into the lead on lap two as their elite man Sarrou took control.

Denmark's Annika Langvad had a strong third lap to push her country into second, while a strong final lap from the Italians pushed them into the medals.

Ferrand-Prevot had a scare after crashing during her warm-up, but completed her lap with a bandaged chin.

The success means France have now won two gold medals after victory in the trials national teams competition on the opening day yesterday.

Action in Vallnord is due to continue tomorrow with the junior cross-country events for both men and women.



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