Track World Championships: British team pursuit squads reach finals

Great Britain’s men and women will both race for gold in the team pursuit finals on Thursday evening after dominating their respective semi-finals at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Paris.

Defending champions Laura Trott, Joanna Rowsell, Elinor Barker and Katie Archibald fell just under half a second short of their own world record as they defeated Canada in a blistering time of 4min 16.979sec.

It was their fastest ever time at sea level and they will now face Australia, who beat New Zealand in the other semi-final in 4min 17.410sec, with a new world record a distinct possibility.

In the men’s team pursuit, Ed Clancy, Steven Burke, Andy Tennant and Owain Doull will face New Zealand for gold after sweeping aside Germany in the semi-final in a time of 3min 55.087sec, which was more than two seconds faster than their opponents.

Turnaround

New Zealand comfortably overcame Switzerland in their semi-final but were a second slower than the British quartet, who will now be fancied to take gold.

It is a remarkable turnaround from 12 months ago, when they failed to reach the medal finals after qualifying only eighth.

Both finals will take place in Thursday's evening session, which starts at 6pm UK time.