Beijing - Defending Olympic champion Julien Absalon of France exhibited his dominant power in the men's mountain bike with a convincing victory at the Beijing Olympic Games here on Saturday.

The four-time world champion finished the 8-lap Laoshan mountain bike course at 1 hour 55 minutes 59 seconds, enjoying a clear advantage over the chaser group with a margin of 1 minute 07 seconds.

His compatriot Jean-Christophe Peraud won the silver medal at 1.57.06, while Nino Schurter from Switzerland finished the third at 1.57.52.

The Frenchman who celebrated his 28th birthday during the Games led all the way to the finish line after placing third in the first lap. As soon as he crossed the finish line, he jumped off and raised the bike over his head to celebrate the victory.