To add to a successful night for Belarusian cycling, Tatsiana Sharakova (30 points) won the women's pointsrace, another non-Olympic event, while Jarmila Machacova of Czech Republic (20 points) took silver and Giorgia Bronzini of Italy (14 points) collected bronze.
If you're unable to witness this year's race at points along the trail, 2013 promises to deliver yet another compelling Iditarod -- a truly Alaskan experience.
Ferrari's world champion Kimi Raikkonen, three points behind Hamilton in this year's title race, took third place in the grid with one minute 18.735 seconds while Fernando Alonso of Renault will start the race alongside the Finn in fourth.