Mo Farah insists he is reaping the benefits of training in South Africa as he targets the Spar European Cross Country title.

The British athlete's superb victory in yesterday's Dunkirk international cross country lent credibility to his belief that next month's European crown is one he can win.

The 23-year-old Somalian-born athlete returned last week from South Africa, where he trained at high altitude and in warm conditions, and decided the French meeting would be a suitable event at which to gauge his form.

He outsprinted Kenyan Micah Kogo, who topped this year's 10,000metres rankings, for a surprise victory by the margin of one second.

As the first European winner in Dunkirk since Portugal's Paulo Guerra triumphed 12 years ago, Farah feels he is fully prepared to stop the European Cross Country domination of Sergiy Lebid in San Giorgio su Legnano on December 10.

Ukrainian Lebid, who trains close to the Italian course, has won the gold medal on six occasions and for the last five years.

European 5,000m silver medallist Farah said: "Micah pushed on the last lap but couldn't get rid of me.

"Then when I saw the finish, I kicked.

"I trained hard in South Africa. This race was to see where I am with my fitness.

"I was up there all the way through. I knew it would be hard, but I believed in myself.

"Obviously this has confirmed everything has gone well there and I'm glad I came here to give myself a testing race.

"Now I've not just to talk about it, but got to produce the same form on the day."

Farah was 21st, well behind Lebid, at the European Cross Country in Tilburg 12 months ago.

Farah vowed: "I've got to be right up there and stay with him and of course it's vital that I stay free of injury and illness."