New Zealand's Alison Shanks produced a fine performance to deny Wendy Houvenaghel the gold medal.
But the British rider did get her first World Championship medal in the individual pursuit.
Britain's youngster Joanna Rowsell was also beaten in the bronze medal race, by the Lithuanian Sereikaite.
Final results
1 Alison Shanks (New Zealand)
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2 Wendy Houvenaghel (Great Britain)
3 Vilija Sereikaite (Lithuania)
4 Joanna Rowsell (Great Britain)
Wendy Houvenaghel in the final
Houvenaghel, Shanks and Sereikaite on the podium
QUALIFYING ROUND Britain's Wendy Houvenaghel guaranteed her first World Championship individual pursuit medal after she topped the qualifying in the 3,000-metre event.
The Olympic silver medallist was part of the winning team pursuit trio in Manchester a year ago, but missed out on the bronze when she was beaten by Australia's Katie Mactier in the solo event.
But she made certain of a medal, and is on course for gold, when she was the only rider to break the 3-30 barrier.
The gold medal final will be a repeat of her heat. Houvenaghel and Kiwi Alison Shanks had faced each other in the final heat of the afternoon qualifying session.
Earlier, Joanna Rowsell had seen her best time beaten by Vilija Sereikaite of Lithuania, and then both Houvenaghel and Shanks. It means Rowsell will race for bronze.
Qualifying times 1 Wendy Houvenaghel (Great Britain) 3-29.491
Sports journalist Lionel Birnie has written professionally for Sunday Times, Procycling and of course Cycling Weekly. He is also an author, publisher, and co-founder of The Cycling Podcast. His first experience covering the Tour de France came in 1999, and he has presented The Cycling Podcast with Richard Moore and Daniel Friebe since 2013. He founded Peloton Publishing in 2010 and has ghostwritten and published the autobiography of Sean Kelly, as well as a number of other sports icons.
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