Cross-country short track races were confirmed on the World Cup programme in September.

The International Cycling Union (UCI) claimed the short track races, held in heats over a 1.5 kilometre course, would prove spectator and television-friendly.

The first race in the discipline saw men race over 10 laps, with the women’s field tackling nine laps at the German venue.

Van der Poel, a cyclo-cross world champion in 2015, emerged as the winner of the men’s competition.

The 23-year-old Dutchman completed the event in a time of exactly 25 minutes.

He earned a narrow victory over New Zealand’s Sam Gaze, who claimed mountain bike gold at last month’s Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Gaze ended three seconds behind the winner.

Switzerland’s Mathias Flueckiger also crossed the line on the same time, but settled for third place.

The top 14 riders all finished within 10 seconds of the winner.

Denmark’s Langvad, the world champion in 2016, secured victory in the women’s competition.

She achieved a time of 23min and 56sec for the race, holding off a strong challenge from Swiss riders.

Jolanda Neff led the Swiss challenge, as she ended two seconds shy of Langvad to end as the runner-up.

The podium was completed by Linda Ingergand on the same time, with the third Swiss rider, Alessandra Keller, missing the podium at six seconds down.

Competition is set to continue in Albstadt tomorrow.