Great Britain set new world record in men's team pursuit to book place in Olympic final

Bradley Wiggins, Owain Doull, Steven Burke and Ed Clancy put Great Britain into the gold medal final of the men's team pursuit at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, setting a new world record in the process.

Wiggins did a long turn at the front and then swung off to leave Clancy, Doull and Burke to hammer home in their first round ride against New Zealand.

GB's time of three minutes and 50.570 seconds was significantly quicker than the previous world record mark of 3-51.659 set by GB at the London 2012 Olympics on their way to gold.

Earlier, the Australian squad of Alexander Edmondson, Michael Hepburn, Callum Scotson and Sam Welsford had beaten a ragged-looking Denmark to book their place in the gold medal final. Australia posted a time of 3-53.429.

The gold medal final between Great Britain and Australia takes place later on Friday night at the Rio velodrome – it means that GB will be assured of at least a silver medal. Denmark will ride against New Zealand to settle the bronze medal.

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Result

Rio 2016 Olympic Games, men's team pursuit first round

Heat 1

1.    Germany 3:56.903

2.    Switzerland 4:03.580

Heat 2

1.    Italy 3:55.724

2.    China 4:04.240

Heat 3

1.    Australia 3:53.429 (Qualify for gold final)

2.    Denmark 3:53.542 (Qualify for bronze final)

Heat 4

1.    Great Britain 3:50.570 (Qualify for gold final) [World Record]

2.    New Zealand 3:55.654 (Qualify for bronze final)