Britain's women won the team pursuit at the track world cup in Cali, Colombia last night, stretching their unbeaten run in finals and all but securing Olympic qualification.
The trio were up against New Zealand who had qualified faster the previous night, but beat them comfortably with a four second advantage.
Great Britain's time of 3-21.830 minutes was two seconds off of world record pace, but on a track that hasn't produced fast times in the endurance events. The ever changing British trio took the win off the back of their win in the European track championships last month.
They won the world title in March and before that the gold medal at the Manchester world cup in February. Although the Brits went two seconds quicker earlier in the year, the times in Cali aren't too significant. They do not expect to peak until the world championships in April and the New Zealand team they beat are in good form as they rode the third fastest time in history two weeks ago at the Oceania championships in Invercargill, New Zealand.
The GB women are not expected to compete at the Beijing world cup in January, but will be in London in February. The line-up may however change, with both Dani King and Joanna Rowsell waiting in the wings.
In the men's team pursuit New Zealand were awarded the gold as the Australians failed to finish.
In the men's team sprint the Germans laid down a significant benchmark, setting a new world record in qualifying. Rene Enders, Maximillian Levy and Stefan Nimke became the second ever team to break the 43 second barrier with a 42.914 second ride.
The only other time that barrier has been beaten was in qualifying at the Beijing Olympics when Jamie Staff, Jason Kenny and Chris Hoy posted a 42.950. Notably the bronze medal was taken by the Venezuelan team, who dipped under 44 seconds and beat a solid French team. A surprise result in a discipline dominated by the European nations since its inception in 1995.
The final two days will see LAura Trott compete in the Omnium and Wendy Houvenaghel ride the individual pursuit.
Results, UCI track world cup, Cali
Women's team pursuit
Gold final
1. Great Britain 3-21.830 bt
2. New Zealand 3-25.618
Bronze final
3. USA 3-22.090 bt
4. Lithuania 3-30.273
Men's team pursuit
Gold final
1. New zealand bt
2. Australia DNF
Bronze final
3. Denmark 4-07.387 bt
4. Colombia 4-07.468
Men's team sprint
Gold final
1. Germany 43.311 bt
2. Team Erdgas 2012 44.230
Bronze final
3. Venezuela 43.991 bt
4. France 44.205
Related links
GB women in team pursuit final as New Zealand qualify fastest in Cali
Cycling Weekly's guide to track racing
Knog Blinder 1300 review - excellent visibility for you and other road users
Everything you want to know about the Q Factor
