Argentina scored a major upset in the men's Madison Olympic track cycling race on Tuesday, taking control of the 50-km race to win the gold medal.

Spain won silver and Russia took the bronze.

The three teams were the only ones that managed to lap the main bunch during the 200 lap race.

World champions Britain, who had been heavily favoured to win with the team of Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish, never managed to pick up enough speed or momentum to lap the bunch and finished far back. The Madison is a 50-km event of two-man teams who trade turns racing, holding hands to slingshot their teammates ahead when they handoff. Points are given for 10 intermediate sprints and for overall distance completed.