Switzerland take win in mixed team time trial at the World Championships from Italy and Australia

Switzerland powered to team time trial gold in a dominant display, with Italy taking silver and Australia the bronze. But that was only part of the story, the favourites Netherlands having a shocker of a day with a mechanical for Bauke Mollema and a crash for Annemiek van Vleuten absolutely wrecking their chances of a podium. While the plaudits must go to the Swiss team of Mauro Schmid, Stefan Kung, Stefan Bissegger, Elisa Chabbey, Marlen Reusser, Nicole Koller for an incredibly professional display in what was an event full of drama, Van Vleuten’s unbelievable crash was by far and away the biggest talking point.

She was able to walk away – but whether she is fit for the weekend's road race remains to be seen. Ad This event has only been run twice before at the worlds and consisted of two 14.1km laps. The three men went off first and as soon as the second rider crossed the line, the three women set off.

But it wasn’t straightforward – the weather had changed hugely overnight, overcast conditions greeting the first riders off the ramp with a stiff breeze and the possibility of rain for the later starters. World Championships'My front tyre exploded' – Van Vleuten in freak horror crash2 HOURS AGO Tahiti got things underway, setting the time to chase – a 40:50.22. But it was the later teams that everyone was waiting for, with the Netherlands, Italy and Switzerland all boasting incredibly impressive line-ups.

Defending champions Germany were going off last but knew they’d need the ride of their lives to retain their title. Australia was the sixth team off the ramp, with the crowds out in force to cheer them on. The men — Michael Matthews, Luke Plapp and Luke Durbridge — put in a stellar ride to set the best time of the day so