Vasili Kiryienka ran out the winner of one of the most tentative points races seen at a world championships in many a year.
Although the pace remained high throughout the 180 lap race, all the favourites neutralised each other, leaving Vasili to pick up points in the sprints every ten laps and build a winning total of just 24.
For once, no riders gained a lap, and the crucial 20 points that go with it, as the likes of Joan Llaneras, Mikhail Ignatiev and Illjo Keisse never really featured.
Defending world champion Llaneras, tried on several occasions to gain a lap, but the Spaniard looked a shadow of his former self and never got much of a gap.
Last year he lapped the field on his own, although this was in front of a home crowd, and he was spurred on by the memory of former Madison partner Isaac Galves who had died four months earlier after a crash at the Ghent Six.
Britain?s Mark Cavendish scored three points in the event having ridden very conservatively. The High Road rider was suffering with a problem with his left leg and the after effects of a cold. His main aim of these championships is the Madison tomorrow, with today's points race providing some crucial track time beforehand.
?I?ve had a kind of blockage in my left leg since the Tour of California, my pelvis is twisted round and I?ve had to keep seeing the osteopath and the physio to get it corrected," Cavendish said afterwards. "I?ve got noting in my left leg. I don?t know what it is. I think with the constant force of the fixed gear cramps it up a bit.?
?I?m definitely up for it tomorrow. I?ve got a point to prove after that. I?m not disappointed because I didn?t know what to expect. I think the Madison is a different type of race, so I?m looking forward to it.?
Kiryienka?s win put Belarus second in the medal table with two golds after his team mate Aliaksandr Lisouski won the men?s scratch race on the opening day.
2008 TRACK WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: DAILY REPORTS
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