Martin Fuksa beat the Olympic champion in the C1 1,000m ©Getty Images

Czech Republic's Martin Fuksa gained a superb victory over two-time Olympic champion Sebastian Brendel today at the International Canoe Federation (ICF) World Cup in Montemor-o-Velho.

Reigning world champion Fuksa edged what initially appeared to have been a thrilling dual in the men's C1 1,000 metres with the London and Rio de Janeiro gold medal winner to cross the line first in 3min 46.048sec.

However, Germany's Brendel was then disqualified after his boat was found to be 20 grams too light.

Oleg Tarnovschi of Moldova was upgraded to silver after initially crossing a distant third in 3:57.473.

Sergio Diaz of Colombia took bronze in 3:58.609.

“All races with Sebastian are a good thing for me because he is an awesome athlete,” Fuksa said.

“I’m glad to have a win, and I hope to get better. 

"It’s the first race of the year, and I’m looking forward to this year’s World Championships.”

Portugal Fernando Pimenta was a popular winner in the K1 1000m after defeating France's Olympic silver medallist Maxime Beaumont.

Pimenta crossed in 3:26.833 to win by 1.93sec as Jost Zakrajsek of Slovenia clocked 3:30.108 for bronze.

Fernando Pimenta, pictured racing at last year's Olympic Games, was a home winner today ©Getty Images
Fernando Pimenta, pictured racing at last year's Olympic Games, was a home winner today ©Getty Images

“It’s very good to start with a gold medal at the start of the Olympic cycle,” Pimenta said.

“When you start with a gold medal, the rest should go well. 

"We know now what effort to focus on training and to keep in shape.”

Ukraine enjoyed double gold in the men’s K2 1000 and the K2 500.

Vitaliy Tsurkan and Oleh Kukharyk won the longer race in 3:09.732.

David Toth and Tamas Kulifai of Hungary took a distant silver in 3:12.587 while Jeremy Hakala and Miika Nykanen took Finnish bronze in 3:13.632.

New Zealand’s Caitlin Ryan took advantage of the absence of Olympic champion team-mate Lisa Carrington to speed to victory in the K1 500 in 1:47.484 in her first individual World Cup race.

Spela Janic of Slovenia finished second in 1:49.43 while Krisztina Fazekas-Zur of Hungary took bronze in 1:50.119.

Cuba’s Serguey Torres and Fernando Jorge were among other winners today in the C2 1,000 class.

They won in 3:30.960 to beat Dmytro Ianchuk and Taras Mishchuk of Ukraine.

Mohssine Moutahir and Gonzalo Marton managed Spanish bronze in 3:34.205.

Action will continue tomorrow with another day of 200 and 500m finals.