Switzerland's Jolanda Neff won the women's title at the Marathon World Championships ©Getty Images

Portugal's Jorge Ferreira and Switzerland's Jolanda Neff claimed the male and female titles at the International Cycling Union (UCI) Mountain Bike Marathon World Championships in Laussac in France today.

Ferreira, who claimed the European silver medal in the Olympic cross country event earlier this month, produced a superb performance to claim victory over Austria's defending champion Alban Lakata.

Men competed over an undulating 90 kilometres course in the Languedoc-Roussillon-Midi-Pyrenees region north-east of Toulouse.

Ferreira crossed the line to win in 4min 01.56sec, with Lakata second 19 seconds behind.

Czech Republic's Kristian Hynek finished in third place, 55 seconds behind the winner.

Jorge Ferreira of Portugal, pictured competing in 2015, won the men's world title today ©mtbcrosscountry
Jorge Ferreira of Portugal, pictured competing in 2015, won the men's world title today ©mtbcrosscountry

It marked the first ever victory for Portugal in the Marathon World Championships and just the second ever global cycling title for nation after Rui Costa won the 2013 road race crown.

Switzerland's Jolanda Neff, a cross country specialist who claimed gold at the Baku 2015 European Games, claimed victory in the women's race.

She finished the gruelling 68.9km tester over two-and-a-half minutes clear in 3:56.56.

Sally Bigham of Britain finished second 2:33 behind.

France's Sabrina Enaux crossed the line a further three minutes back to take bronze.