The B race is not just a test event, there is eternal glory and a spot in the main race up for grabs. It will likely be a two-horse race between Ahlstrand and Grosu. There are other sprinters who might surprise, or the small hills could invite attacks.
The first attacker of the day is Henttala. He is followed by Khederi, Ahmad Zamri and Matte, but their attempt would be short-lasting.
Then there were many more attempts, containing the four above as well as Azman, De Vos, Downey, Dunne, Egidio, Gaspar, Ghani, Petrus, Pökälä and Veidam in any combination.
As we head onto the fourth lap, we have the tenth attempt to form a breakaway, as all others did not get further than 30 seconds: Downey Gaspar Ghani
Lord and behold, this was the right attempt. Matte and Pökälä formed a counter-attempt but they did not get clearance. The trio leads by three minutes with 200 kilometer to go.
The peloton not eager to chase yet, a few Swedes at the front. We can also spot some South Africans, Hungarians and Latvians and a wide range of other teams. Grosu doesn't have a full team so the Romanians are waiting before they head to the front.
Eight and a half minutes is the maximum lead for Downey, Gaspar and Ghani. eight laps to go around Geelong.
Meanwhile, Sweden has clearly taken control and is bringing down the gap, Ludvigsson and Faglum Karlsson at the front. Thomson taking a few turns, as are Skujins and Eislers for Latvia, and Kenyeres and Varga for Hungary.
52 kilometer to go, three laps remaining and the gap is under three minutes. Same teams working at the front, with Olsson taking over from Ludvigsson. Only Nascimento has been dropped from the peloton so far.
Debesay jumps away from the peloton in the third-a-last lap, right before the hill. The Swedes don't want to underestimate and start chasing.
Gaspar and Ghani see the other riders approaching and attack at the top of the hill, dispatching of Downey. Debesay is thirty seconds behind, but only thirty seconds ahead of the peloton. Skujins and Venter, two strong puncheurs, leading the peloton with 40 kilometer to go.
Two laps to go and the leaders are caught. The peloton consists of 87 riders. Latvia goes to the front.
Debesay doesn't give up without a fight and attacks again. This time he's joined by Boivin. Interesting move from one of the better sprinters in the field. 33 kilometer to go, Sweden returning to the front with Latvia and South Africa. Nitu also at the front, first time we see them working for Grosu.
Bekmanis pulls them back on the hill, and Debesay does not attack again.
Another attack, this time Cisse, Marcos and Kal. Three riders from smaller nations hoping on a upset, but the South Africans didn't give them an inch.
More riders in trouble at the back, most notably Saber! Other victims are Bennett, Chen, Dakteris, Dzverus, Lovassy, Redecker, Salleh and Santos. Not many pure sprinters remaining this way, maybe they underestimated the course.
Latvia switching tactics. Becis attacks as the bell sounds for the final lap. Seventeen kilometer with two small climbs, only 42 riders counted in the peloton. Group Saber at one minute, they might come back.
Becis brought back not much later, Venter positioning himself at the front right before the final climb, as are Kangert and Skujins. Ahlstrand and Grosu around tenth position.
Kangert attacks! South Africa uses Venter to chase together with Hoffman and Smit. Still counting on a sprint for Van Heerden, who is still in this group.
Venter closes the gap but looks who is right on his wheel, it's Ahlstrand! Grosu and Liepins follow, and more or less the entire remains of what used to be called the peloton.
Top of the first hill, Kangert caught and the group down to 32 riders. Ahlstrand looking very good, reaching the top in second place. Van Heerden is gone, as are Cisse and A. Nepomnyachsniy.
Attack by Smukulis on the flat section between the climbs. Eight kilometer to go, the group of favorites is down to only 25 as Kruopis and Granjel Cabrera can't hold on anymore.
Nearing the top of the final hill, Smukulis has a gap of 20 seconds. Taaramäe can be seen attacking from the group, but Ahlstrand is on his wheel. Then we can spot Kangert and Lutsenko, Y. Nepomnyachsniy, Smit, Venter, Marcos, Navardauskas, Lavery, Debesay, Amanuel and Eyob still in that group.
That means Grosu has been dropped! He's 40 seconds behind, the win will be very hard for him with only 6 kilometer to go. Skujins, Liepins, Manninen and Boivin are behind as well.
Taaramäe and Ahlstrand join Smukulis on the descent, gap to group two is 45 seconds, where Lutsenko leads. Ahlstrand is handed the win on a silver plate this way, but will the Baltics come up with a plan to drop him?
The answer seems to be no, as there are no attempts to drop the Swede and Taaramäe takes the lead into the final two kilometer. The group behind is not getting closer, in fact the gap is up to fifty seconds. Ahlstrand in the ideal position to win, in Taaramäe's wheel.
Under the flag for the final kilometer and Ahlstrand comes off the Estonian's wheel. His speed cannot be matched.
Jonas Ahlstrand wins the World B Championships! This means Sweden qualifies for the main race. A win in an unusual fashion for him, we all expected a reduced bunch sprint but to win by attacking is something else. I hope the other teams in the elite race took notes.
Silver medal for Gatis Smukulis, bronze for Rein Taaramäe. Both seem to be happy, knowing Ahlstrand couldn't be beaten.
Smirnovs wins the sprint for fourth place. Marcos fifth, good race from him as well. Smit, Y. Nepomnyachsniy and Navardauskas finish sixth to eight, the other riders not caring for the minor placements.
Lavery leads the group of beaten riders home, finishing at 1'39 from Ahlstrand. Debesay completes the top ten ahead of Amanuel, Lutsenko, Eyob, Kangert and Venter.
Bester sixteenth at over two minutes in the group with, amongst others, Boivin, Grosu, Liepins and Manninen. The other sprinters finish even further down, in formation it seems. They expected to battle for the win but they were in for a surprise today.
Ahlstrand and 
Grosu. There are other sprinters who might surprise, or the small hills could invite attacks. 
Henttala. He is followed by 
Khederi, 
Ahmad Zamri and 
Matte, but their attempt would be short-lasting.
Downey, 
Egidio, 
Petrus, 
Veidam in any combination.
Thomson taking a few turns, as are 
Skujins and 
Kenyeres and 
Debesay jumps away from the peloton in the third-a-last lap, right before the hill. The Swedes don't want to underestimate and start chasing.
Suryadi. 
Guillén, 
Tleubayev also at the back and in danger. 
Cisse, 
Marcos and 
Kal. Three riders from smaller nations hoping on a upset, but the South Africans didn't give them an inch.
Saber! Other victims are 
Chen, 
Dzverus, 
