“I had it stacked against me with the start number so I had to just chip away. I got lucky in the start loop and made a big pass and after the second lap I just kept chipping away,” said Gaze.

“The rankings were dated back to March 2020 when I was in the pits from my injury. It meant I did not get a competitive start position so today was about getting the best ride that I could.

“It’s not so much about the result today as how I rode that was so pleasing. And from where I have been, I am back.”

Gaze, who rides for Alpecin-Fenix professional team, took advantage as a hole opened through the maze to pass over 50 riders in the short opening loop to move to 34th and by mid-race he had climbed into the top-20. The former under-23 world champion picked off a handful of riders each lap before a sprint finish earned him sixth place, 2min 30sec down on the winner.