Emily Harrop and Axelle Gachet-Mollaret delivered gold for France with a commanding performance in the women’s competition in Andorra.

After establishing a gap on the first climb, the French duo never looked back, winning in 2hrs 12min 48.9sec.

"It was great to race something like this," said Harrop.

"All the downhills and uphills were technical, a real mountain race.

"This is what we love.

"I like racing with Axelle and we are happy that we were able to win it today.

"We planned to build a lead early into the race, not to be stressed later and recover a bit before Saturday’s individual."

Italy’s Alba de Silvestro and Giulia Murada claimed silver in 2:15:534, with France’s Célia Perillat-Pessey and Candice Bonnel bagging bronze in 2:17:48.

Matteo Eydallin and Robert Antonioli of Italy denied France a second gold when they overcame Xavier Gachet and William Bon Mardion to clinch the men’s crown.

It was tight battle between the two pairings before Eydallin and Antonioli built a slight lead in the last climb and held it to the finish first in 1:56:28.7.

"The race was technical, challenging and very close with the other team," said Eydallin.

"We tried to decide the race many times but saw it wasn't easy.

"We managed to win, not with a significant margin, but it was enough.

"We are very happy to start the World Championships with the gold medal.

"Now we can focus on Individual race."

Gachet and Bon Mardion were just 52 seconds slower than the Italian duo as they finished in 1:57:20.6 to earn silver.

Italy also secured bronze as Davide Magnini and Nadir Maguet crossed in 2:00:21.0.