Defending world champion quickly built a comfortable lead over the first few laps as the Australian XCO champion battled Yana Belomoina (UKR) for second place, the Ukranian ultimately suffering a mechanical that saw her move out of medal contention.
The defending world champion held a comfortable lead for the majority of the race, with McConnell still in the silver medal position as Eva Lechner (ITA) and Sina Frei (SUI) fought it out behind for bronze.
But Lechner powered home, coming around McConnell after the final 180 turn, the Canberran unable to match the Italian's final sprint, Lechner winning by half a wheel.
Prévot crossed the line for her third world championship title in a time of 1:27:33, over three minutes ahead of second place.
"Never in my wildest dreams had I dared to dream of a medal at the World Championships," McConnell said. "And now at the end of this crazy, unpredictable and tough year I have a second Bronze medal.
"To do it once was enormous and now to back it up again in another dramatic race. I don't know what to say!"
"For now just thank you to everyone involved."
It was a French clean sweep of the XC racing with Jordan Sarrou (1:25:37) moving into gold medal winning position early, never letting up the pace.
Starting with the 34 plate, Australian Dan McConnell powered to an impressive top 20 finish in 16th.
In the downhill racing on Sunday, Switzerland's Camille Blanche claimed the women's title with a time of 5:08:426. Australian Tracey Hannah (+20.012) finished fourth, just three seconds off the bronze medal claimed by Slovenian Monika Hrastnik (+16.966) with French rider Myriam Nicole securing silver (+3.130). Hannah was fastest at the first three time checks but got caught out in the woods.
Australian Jack Moir (3:58:876) finished in sixth place, Great Britain's Reece Wilson claiming gold over seven seconds faster. Troy Brosnan finished eighth to put three Aussies in the top 10 in the men's and women's downhill racing. Kye A’Hern finished in the top 20 (17th) in his first year in the elites while Michael Hannah finished 33rd.
