Great Britain set world record in Rio women's team pursuit to reach gold final

Great Britain's team pursuit quartet of Joanna Rowsell-Shand, Laura Trott, Katie Archibald and Elinor Barker set a new world record at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games to progress to Saturday's gold medal final against USA.

Prior to GB's first round ride against Canada, the USA team of Sarah Hammer, Kelly Catlin, Chloe Dygert and Jennifer Valente had beaten GB's previous world record set during qualifiers.

The USA's record of 4-12.282 set as they beat Australia was short-lived, barely standing for 10 minutes before GB set a new mark of 4-12.152.

>>> Great Britain's women team pursuiters set new world record in qualifiers

The proximity of the two team's times means that the gold medal will go right down to the wire, with both squads in absolute top form and very evenly matched.

New Zealand will face Canada to ride off for the bronze medal. Both events will take place on Saturday.

Earlier on Saturday, both GB riders Jason Kenny and Callum Skinner won their heats in the men's sprint to go through to the quarter finals.

GB's Becky James also won her heat in the women's keirin to go through to the second round. Like the women's team pursuit, the keirin concludes on Saturday evening.

Result

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

Heat 1

Italy 4-22.964 beat China 4-23.678

Heat 2

New Zealand 4-17.592 [bronze final] beat Poland [disqualified]

Heat 3

USA 4-12.282 [gold final] beat Australia 4-20.262

Heat 4

Great Britain 4-12.152 [gold final] beat Canada 4-15.636 [bronze final]