Switzerland and France win worlds bragging rights

The UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Val di Sole, Italy last week and weekend saw record numbers of participants engaging in cross country, 4X and downhill competitions. When the dust settled and the medals were counted, Switzerland and France emerged at the top of the medal count list with nine medals each.

The Swiss counted two golds, four silvers and three bronzes while showing their dominance in the cross country. The French carried home two golds, three silvers and four bronzes.

Thanks to gold medals in the elite men's, women's and junior's downhill races, the British collected the most golds and five medals in total when also including its two silvers.

Nine medals
Switzerland (2 Gold, 4 Silver, 3 Bronze)
France (2 Gold, 3 Silver, 4 Bronze)

Five medals
Great Britain (3 Gold, 2 Silver)

Two medals
Spain (2 Gold)
Czech Republic (1 Silver, 1 Bronze)
Germany (1 Silver, 1 Bronze)

One medal
Colombia (1 Gold)
Slovenia (1 Gold)
Slovakia (1 Gold)
United States (1 Gold)
Hungary (1 Silver)
South Africa (1 Silver)
Australia (1 Bronze)
Italy (1 Bronze)
Poland (1 Bronze)
Russian Federation (1 Bronze)

2008 World Champions

Cross Country
Christoph Sauser (Switzerland) (men)
Margarita Fullana (Spain) (women)
Nino Schurter (Switzerland) (U23 men)
Tanja Zakelj (Slovenia) (U23 women)
Peter Sagan (Slovakia) (junior men)
Laura Abril (Colombia) (junior women)

Downhill
Gee Atherton (Great Britain) (men)
Rachel Atherton (Great Britain (women)
Josh Bryceland (Great Britain) (junior men)
Anais Pajot (France) (junior women)

4X
Rafael Alvarez de Lara (Spain) (men)
Melissa Buhl (United States) (women)

See Cyclingnews' full coverage of the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships.