Iserbyt had won five of the 13 events contested this season, which ensured he would secure the overall title regardless of the outcome of the final two races.

The Belgian broke clear on the third of eight laps at the French venue, with compatriot Toon Aerts attempting to follow.

The gap between the pair continued to rise on the next three laps, before stabilising with Iserbyt holding a near one-minute advantage.

Iserbyt crossed the line in a winning time of 1hr 1min 51sec, marking the first time he had topped the World Cup podium since November.

Aerts finished as the runner-up at 59 seconds down.

An all-Belgian podium was completed by Michael Vanthourenhout, who crossed the line 1:12 behind the winner.

Iserbyt holds an unassailable lead in the World Cup standings with one round remaining, boasting 445 points to Vanthourenhout’s total of 335.

The season is due to conclude in Hoogerheide on January 23, with the World Championships following at Fayetteville in the United States.

Reigning women’s World Cup champion Lucinda Brand was among the riders absent from today’s competition as she prepares for the World Championships.

Fem van Empel took advantage to claim her second World Cup win of the season, with her previous triumph coming on snow at Val di Sole.

Van Empel and Puck Pieterse remained together throughout the six-lap event, before the Dutch riders contested a sprint finish.

Van Empel crossed the line in a winning time of 53.39, with Pieterse left settling for second on the same time.

Hungary’s Blanka Vas completed the podium places, ending 23 seconds behind the leaders in third.

Brand was confirmed as the World Cup champion despite her absence.

Her total of 402 points cannot be passed in the final event of the season, with fellow Dutch riders Denise Betsema and Pieterse adrift on 343 and 325 points respectively.