Event: 1 December 2012
Location: National Cycling Centre, Manchester
Report: Revolution
The brilliant Marianne Vos justified her world No 1 status by winning the Elite Women's Omnium at the Revolution Series on Saturday night but Britain's Lizzie Armitstead fought her all the way.
Vos and Armitstead took gold and silver respectively at the thrilling Olympic Women's Road Race in the summer and they faced each other again at Revolution Series Round 2 at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester.
Watch Round 2 highlights on Wednesday, 5th December at 8pm on ITV4 and catch up in ITV Player
Vos (riding for Rabobank) and Armitstead (AA Drink - Leontien.nl) found themselves head-to-head in the third race of the evening, the Elimination Race, and just as in the summer it was the Dutchwoman who came out on top, holding off the Yorkshire-born rider by two or three bike lengths as the crowd went wild.
The Scratch Race - the seventh event on the evening's programme but second in the Women's Omnium - was won by Katie Colclough of Team Specialized-Lululemon with Vos second and Emily Kay (Scott Contessa-Epic) third.
Britain and the Netherlands were pitted against each other in an entertaining Women's Team Pursuit. And the crowd went wild again as Britain came out on top in a time of 2:28.216.
In the Points Race - the concluding event of the Elite Women's Omnium - there was more brilliant riding from Vos. Although her compatriot Ellen van Dyck took the victory fourth place for Vos confirmed her superb success in the Omnium.
Vos tweeted afterwards: "Had a great evening here in Manchester at Revolution; what an atmosphere! Few days of preparations payed off:-)"
Armitstead tweeted: "Congrats to Vos on her usual! ... Good night by @revolutionuk organisers, thank you for showcasing the women!"
Meanwhile, Rapha Condor Sharp kept firm control of the Elite Championship with Ed Clancy and Andy Tennant on brilliant form again. Rapha have amassed 125 points after Round 2, 25 ahead of their nearest challengers, German outfit Rudy Project RT.
Steven Burke of IG Sigma Sport looked to have the Flying Lap won with a time of 13.901 but fellow Olympic gold medalist Ed Clancy had other ideas, storming round in 13.292 to maintain his scintillating form from back in October.
The Madison Time Trial was won by IG Sigma Sport with WD40 second, and Team Sky third. Team Sky then went two places better in the Points Race as Luke Rowe won it in 11:35.164, claiming nine points in the elite championship.
Sporting an impressive 'Movember' moustache, Team Sky's Rowe sprinted around the final bend in the Elimination Race, and pipped Russell Downing with a wonderful move on the line, throwing his front wheel forward to snatch an incredibly narrow victory.
Alex Dowsett, the British time trial champion who is bound for Movistar Team next season, marked his final competitive outing for Team Sky with a superb victory in the Scratch Race - the last Elite Championship event of the evening.
Rapha Condor Sharp may lead the Elite Championship after Round 2, but it was an unsurpassable Dutchwoman who stole the show - the ever-dominant Vos winning the Omnium and proving her world-class status yet again.
Watch highlights on ITV4 at 8pm this Wednesday, 5th December. Ben Swift of Team Sky is our guest pundit for Round 2 with Sian Welby presenting the show.
