(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-12-10 11:12

MADRID - Sergiy Lebid won his seventh European cross country gold with a superb run to shrug off a determined challenge from Swedish steeplechaser Mustafa Mohamed in Toro on Sunday.

The 32-year-old Ukrainian, who has competed in all 14 editions of the championship and who won his first title in 1998, found an extra gear on the final lap to leave Mohamed trailing in his wake and cross the line nine seconds ahead of his rival.

Portuguese 1,500 metre specialist Rui Silva took the bronze medal ahead of another Swede Erik Sjoqvist, while Spaniards Chema Martinez and Jesus Espana finished fifth and sixth.

Local favourite Marta Dominguez won the women's race, while Spain took the team golds in both the men's and women's events.

Ireland's Martin Fagan set the pace in the early stages of the 10.2km race, with Lebid and a powerful quintet of Spaniards tucked in behind in the leading group.

But Lebid hit the front with around three km to go and although Mohamed stuck with him initially, he attacked again in the closing stages of the 10.7km race to pull clear on the fast, flat parkland course.

"It's a marvellous feeling to win again, I'm happy as well that I'm in good condition again after so many problems during the rest of the year," said Lebid. "Mustafa Mohamed and I know each other quite well but I came out on top tactically."

Spain regained the team gold they last won in 2002, with Portugal taking the silver and France the bronze. Britain finished in fourth spot ahead of Sweden.

The home crowd had even more reason to celebrate in the women's event with European 5,000 metre champion Dominguez powering her way to victory ahead of France's Julie Coulaud and leading Spain to the team gold.

Dominguez produced a late burst of speed to sprint clear of Coulaud and compatriot Rosa Morato in the final 500 metres of the 8.2 km race.

Last year's silver medallist Mariya Konovalova of Russia crossed the line in fourth ahead of Hungary's Aniko Kalovics, Britain's Kate Reed and Fionnuala Britton of Ireland.

Defending champion Tetyana Holovchenko of Ukraine lost touch with the leading group just before the halfway stage and finished 15th.

Morato, Dominguez and Coulaud stepped up the pace on the final lap to battle it out for the medals with Dominguez's superior track speed proving decisive as she crossed the line three seconds ahead of the French athlete.

"I think I ran well tactically, I planned to run behind other athletes to avoid getting battered by the wind," said the 32-year-old Dominguez. "I think some of the favourites suffered because of that and it had a negative effect on them."

Taking two of the top three spots on the podium assured Spain of the team gold ahead of Great Britain and Portugal.