The new discipline, where bikes are fitted with motors, is featuring for the first time at Mont-Sainte-Anne in Quebec, after the ICU confirmed its addition in March.

Hatherly, who won the under-23 cross-country title in Lenzerheide in Switzerland last year, etched his name into history in the men's race as he clocked a winning time of 1 hour 4min 53sec.

The South African led for much of the race and came home one minute and 10 seconds quicker than France's silver medallist Jerome Gilloux.

France also collected bronze as Julien Absalon finished 19 seconds behind his team mate.

"I've been riding an e-bike for just over a month now," said Hatherly, who collected the world champion's rainbow jersey.

"The team offered it to me to come here and it was by far one of the hardest races I've done in a long time.

"I'm super-stoked to have done this today."

Schneitter timed in at 1:11:38 to win the women's race after overtaking Canada's home hope Maghalie Rochette on the final lap.

Rochette held on for silver just five seconds behind, as Anneke Beerten of The Netherlands finished more than three minutes further back for bronze.

The Swiss success was their second gold in a matter of hours after they opened the Championships by winning the cross-country team relay.

With five riders each completing a lap of the track, Switzerland stopped the clock at 1:02:55 to win the event for the third straight year.

They overtook the United States on the final lap who eventually took silver, 16 seconds back.

France were 28 seconds behind the winners for bronze.

"There are two girls now racing and since that rule was applied we've won every time," said Swiss rider Jolanda Neff.

"I think that makes a big difference."

The relay features one rider on each team from the men's elite, women's elite, men's under-23, men's juniors and women's under-23/juniors categories so is considered a true test of strength in depth.

Neff, the elite women's rider, teamed up with men's elite competitor Nino Schurter, under-23 male Joel Roth, junior male Janis Baumann and under-23 female Sina Frei. 

Junior cross-country events will take place at the Championships tomorrow, which conclude on Sunday (September 1).