In the corresponding women’s event, which resumes and concludes on Saturday, Laura Trott, Joanna Rowsell Shand, Elinor Barker and Katie Archibald advanced in a world record time, clocking 4:13.260.
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RIO DE JANEIRO Aug 11 Britain set a track cycling world record in the women’s team pursuit on Thursday shortly after the men had clocked an Olympic best in team sprint qualifying. Canada qualified in 4mins 19.599secs, more than six seconds behind Britain.
The United States, who are the reigning world champions, qualified second fastest but were a distant 1.02 seconds slower, while the Australians qualified third fastest but were nearly six seconds down on the rampant British quartet.
Laura Trott’s gang of four sent an ominous warning to their Olympic team pursuit rivals – by smashing Australia’a world record.
Riders over 1m 90cm is height are permitted 85cm aerodynamic bars, 5cm longer than smaller riders.
Hindes, Kenny and Skinner will ride-off for the gold medal in the team sprint.
Britain’s three-man, three-lap team sprint squad have a habit of peaking every four years and did so again as Kenny claimed his fourth Olympic gold.
It beat the 42.600 Britain set when winning gold in the 2012 London games, though was later bested by New Zealand in the first round, finishing in 42.535 seconds.
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The team of Philip Hindes, Jason Kenny and Callum Skinner clinched the medal with a time of 42.44 seconds – a new Olympic record – ahead of world champions New Zealand who finished in 42.54 seconds.
