Both Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum had completed the fourth stage and had just 38 kms on hand.

Unfortunately, their horses were eliminated during the re-presentation and the hosts were left with just Shaikh Mohammad and Shaikh Rashid Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum in the team event.

The Italians seized the opportunity and despite a slow timing, ensured that the required three riders completed the ride to win the team gold.

It was Italy's first ever gold in the 10 editions of world endurance championships. Australia took the silver and Belgium the bronze.

"We are very, very happy. In 1998 we won silver here in the UAE and again in 2002 we won silver. But this team gold is a confirmation that we are on the right track," said Feferico Di Matteo, Chef d'Equipe of the Italian team.

"Today's win is the results of six months of hard work. Our emphasis was plain teamwork," he said.