If the first Madison of the penultimate night at the Ghent Six Days is an indication of how the race will develop as it comes to a conclusion on Sunday, then Iljo Keisse and Michael Mørkøv will be victorious. Showing strength and tactical acumen, they stamped their authority, gained a lap on their main adversaries and retook the lead by force.

However, their lead is exceptionally slim. Barely two points separate the leading duo from Otto Vergaerde and Jasper De Buyst who are in hot pursuit and won the second Madison of the 5th night. The decision between the two teams may, in fact, come down to the final sprint in the decisive Madison.

Van Hoecke/De Ketele are also in with a shot at glory but they may need to lap the leading two teams. Making up the 20 points deficit to Keisse/Mørkøv may prove too difficult.

Final mention must go to the Danish team of Alex Rasmussen and Marc Hester. Throughout the race, they have been hovering on the fringes of the podium, flying below the radar as the spotlight has been focused on the three top teams. Going into the final day, they are on the same lap as the three major contenders but they trail so far behind on points that they will have to take advantage of the three top teams keeping an anxious eye on one another to snatch a lap. A Danish victory looks improbable but both riders have the required experience to pull off a major upset.

Sunday promises to be an exciting day in Ghent!

Overall standings after 5 nights:

1. Iljo Keisse (Belgium)/Michael Mørkøv (Denmark) 377

2. Otto Vergaerde/Jasper De Buyst (Belgium) 375

3. Gijs Van Hoecke/Kenny De Ketele (Belgium) 357

4. Marc Hester/Alex Rasmussen (Denmark) 205

At 6 laps:

5. Moreno De Pauw (Belgium)/Morgan Kneisky (France) 323

At 10 laps:

6. Jesper Mørkøv (Denmark)/Nick Stöpler (Holland) 135

At 15 laps:

7. Melvin van Zijl/Yoeri Havik (Holland) 119

At 18 laps:

8. Christian Grasmann/Marcel Kalz (Germany) 105

At 34 laps:

9. Stijn Steels (Belgium)/Andreas Müller (Austria) 58

At 36 laps:

10. David Muntaner (Spain)/Lindsay De Vylder (Belgium) 74

At 40 laps:

11. Christopher Lawless (Great Britain)/Roy Pieters (Holland) 77

At 49 laps:

12. Benjamin Thomas (France)/Tristan Marguet (Switzerland) 62