Finally emerging from the shadow of star compatriots Michael Morkov and Alex Rasmussen, 'home boy' Marc Hester won the 50th 'Kobenhavn 6 Dages Løb' late on Tuesday evening on the boards of the Ballerup Super Arena to take his first six day win, paired with Belgium's Iljo Keisse.
Winners of the last three editions of the race, Morkov/Rasmussen in their legendary team number seven jerseys went into the last night in front of a full house with a lead on points, sharing the zero lap with Hester/Keisse.
But in a hard fought last 50 laps points shoot out it, Keisse had too much speed left in his legs for Rasmussen.
In third place were German's Leif Lampater and Robert Bartko with Dutchman Wim Stroetinga and Danny Stam taking fourth, in what was the Dutch veteran's last race.
In fifth place were Swiss former double world madison champion, Franco Marvulli - who ends the season highest ranked rider of the winter - paired with Michael Morkov's younger brother, Jesper.
Despite Hester's relative youth, he's been a regular on the circuit since Ghent in 2005, with his victory coming in his 65th six day start.
The Dane was emotional on the podium, but had regained his composure by the time he spoke to VeloNation; “When I saw that I had been paired with Iljo it gave me a big boost, but it was too much to think about winning - Alex Rasmussen and Michael Morkov are such strong riders.
“This is a childhood dream for me, I've ridden here every year since Robert Slippens and Danny Stam won in 2006, but to finally win is amazing.”
Hester's cause was helped by Keisse's strength and experience - Copenhagen was his fourth win of the season, to go with Grenoble, Amsterdam and Zurich; not to mention the European madison championship.
Copenhagen was the final six day of the winter season, October will see Grenoble cut back to a four day format with only six races retaining the full six days - the least in the history of the sport.
Copenhagen Six Days, Ballerup (Feb 2 – 7)
1, Iljo Keisse / Marc Hester (Bel/Den) 298 pts
2, Alex Rasmussen / Michael Mørkøv (Den) 292
3, Robert Bartko / Leif Lampater (Ger) 237, at 1 lap
4, Danny Stam / Wim Stroetinga (Ned) 158, at 1 lap
5, Franco Marvulli / Jesper Mørkøv (Swi/Den) 207, at 2 laps
6, Kenny de Ketele / Tim Mertens (Bel) 141, at 4 laps
7, Robert Bengsch / Marcel Kalz (Ger) 118, at 5 laps
8, Marcel Barth / Martin Blaha (Ger/Cze) 119, at 7 laps
9, Andreas Müller / Sebastian Lander (Aut/Den) 70, at 13 laps
10, Alexander Aeschbach / Christian Ranneries (Swi/Den) 122, at 15 laps