THE big guns fired in last night’s start to the Bendigo International Madison carnival when the cycling stars raced in the RetireInvest criterium in the city’s CBD.After a dramatic 25-lap contest, Germany’s Leif Lampater celebrated his first victory on the road outside of his homeland as he beat the madison’s reigning champions, Eaglehawk’s Glenn O’Shea and Geelong’s Leigh Howard.“To win this was cool,’’ an elated Lampater said soon after being presented with the race winner’s and sprint king jersey.“It was a great race.’’Lampater also paid tribute to Marvulli’s effort, especially on the final lap and leading into the sprint.“We worked really well in all of the sprints.’’The top three in the criterium are three of the biggest drawcards for tomorrow night’s McCaig Airconditioning and Fujitsu-backed 200-lap track classic.Stars on Europe’s six-day circuit, Lampater will team with Swiss ace Franco Marvulli in the madison.The German star was the undisputed king of the sprints as he won at 20, 15 and 10 laps to go, before Marvulli swooped to win the last of the intermediate sprints.It was a fast-paced race on a circuit that began in Howard Place and took a sharp left on Park Road and through Rosalind Park then swept on to View Street and back along Pall Mall.Wave after wave of attacks were launched, usually after the field turned at the bottom of Park Road and into the park.Those to the fore included Western Australia’s Cameron Meyer and Luke Durbridge, Bendigo’s David Pell, and Geelong’s Leigh Howard and James Langedyk.Many more tried to break away but were usually caught in less than a lap.The quickest lap was under 90 seconds, as the time usually hovered in the mid-90s mark.O’Shea made his intentions clear by racing to the lead on the first lap.By the final lap the Jayco-VIS rider was right in the race to achieve another memorable victory at home, this time on the streets.But it was to be Lampater who reigned supreme, albeit by not much more than a tyre width.One of the most decisive attacks was at two laps to go when Langedyk, Cam Meyer and New Zealand’s Tom Scully quickly gained a 50m leap on the main bunch.They led as the bell sounded, with Pell leading the charge of the chasing bunch.The breakaway was caught by a bunch containing some riders who have excelled in pursuit racing.Positioned in the middle of the finishing straight, Lampater fought on to beat O’Shea, Howard, Joel Pearson and New Zealand’s Shane Archbold in a contest that was over in 39 minutes 27 seconds. O’Shea and Howard both knew plenty about Lampater’s ability from their recent six-day showdown in Belgium.“He was one of the strongest riders in Belgium, and has brought his form down here,’’ O’Shea said of Lampater’s effort.“I knew that Leif would be tough to beat, and Cam Meyer showed he will be one to watch in the madison.’’Although they were not first in the street battle, O’Shea and Howard are upbeat about their chances of back-to-back madison wins.