Friedrich returned to form to style in his home nation as he piloted his crew, comprising Candy Bauer, Martin Grothkopp and Thorsten Margis, to gold in a time of 1min 50.53sec.

The reigning Olympic champion and overall World Cup holder finished 0.20 seconds quicker than compatriots Nico Walther, Paul Krenz, Joshua Bluhm and Eric Franke.

It marked a promising start to the campaign for Olympic silver medallist Walther, who was forced to sit out the opening event of the season due to injury and only just secured his place on the World Cup team in a selection race this week.

Oskars Kibermanis, Lauris Kaufmanis, Arvis Vilkaste and Matiss Miknis of Latvia did enough for third in 1:50.93.

The Latvian crew edged out the team led by European champion Johannes Lochner of Germany to secure the last spot on the podium.

Prior to the start of the 2019-2020 campaign, Friedrich had won every race since January 2018, including nine World Cups, two European Championships, one World Championships and the Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang.

Today's triumph gives him a boost ahead of the second race at the German track tomorrow, which doubles as the European Championships in the four-man event.