Manx Missile Mark Cavendish and Omega Pharma-Quick-Step team-mate Iljo Keisse had to settle for second place at the Gent Six Day event.

The 29-year-old Manxman and Belgian Keisse were narrowly beaten to the title by Kenny De Ketele and Jasper De Buyst.

The event came down to the Madison on Sunday, which De Ketele and De Buyst won to give them overall victory by 46 points.

‘I'm disappointed, but we were beaten by a great team,’ said Cavendish.

‘In the end I'm happy with how we did. I had the best partner and such a good friend of mine in Iljo. For me, it's an honour to ride with him.’

It was Cavendish's first appearance in the Belgium-based event since 2007 and the latest step in his attempt to recover full fitness after dislocating his shoulder in July.