Caroline Buchanan won the women's four cross title for the fourth time in her career ©Twitter/UCI MTB

Australia’s Caroline Buchanan claimed the women's four-cross gold medal for the fourth time in her career at the International Cycling Union (UCI) Mountain Bike World Championships in Val Di Sole.

The 25-year-old was seeking to reclaim the title she last earned in 2013, during the downhill, BMX style competition.

Buchanan reached the final by clocking a qualification time of 50.293sec, but The Netherlands’ Anneke Beerten was the fastest qualifier, ending in 49.668.

The Dutchwoman was not able to repeat the feat in the final, with Buchanan, the 2013 BMX world champion, coming across the line in first position to seal the gold medal.

Germany’s Franziska Meyer finished second to claim the silver medal, with Beerten crossing in third to complete the podium.

The men’s competition saw Slovenia’s Mitja Ergaver emerge as the victor at the Italian venue, securing his country’s first World Championship medal in the event.

Austria’s Hannes Slavik and Britain’s Luke Cryer completed the podium positions.

Downhill racing will take place for the next two days at the Italian venue ©Twitter/UCI MTB
Downhill racing will take place for the next two days at the Italian venue ©Twitter/UCI MTB

Downhill mountain bike racing are set come to the fore tomorrow with the men’s and women’s elite time sessions due to take place.

The elite riders and juniors will then take part in the finals on Sunday (September 11).

Rachel Atherton will start as favourite to win the women’s title, with the British rider beginning as the defending champion and having won all World Cup races this season.

The United States’ Aaron Gwin will hope to back up his victory in the men’s overall World Cup, but will expect to face the threat of Britain’s Danny Hart, who won the final three events of the season.