As they came around to take the chequered flag Great Britain was 1.126 seconds to the good for an extremely popular home triumph – and one that has vaulted the home favourites ahead of France for third place in the nations' standings. Not only that, but the result has also helped to narrow the gap to New Zealand in second down to just ten points from 22, with 16 left to play for and Reid beginning the longer feature outing all the way down in 17th on the grid.

Summerton held onto the runner-up spot ahead of Carroll in the final reckoning, with Jani's fourth place comfortably enough to clinch the crown for Switzerland. Karthikeyan remained fifth for India, with Filipe Albuquerque in the Portuguese entry coming home sixth, Adrian Zaugg for South Africa seventh and Reid unable to do any better than eighth as the trophy slipped definitively out of New Zealand's grasp. Bleekemolen and Montagny rounded out the top ten finishers, as all 22 nations took the chequered flag.

To see the sprint race result in full, click here