GB women team pursuit take gold and set another new world record

Great Britain's women's team pursuit trio struck gold at the 2012 Track World Championships in Melbourne on Thursday, beating the Australian team and setting a new world record in the final.

The GB line-up of Dani King, Laura Trott and Joanna Rowsell clocked 3:15.720 over 3 kilometres, comprehensively beating the previous world record that they had set only a few hours previously during qualification - 3:16.850.

The British women put in a trademark measured ride. Despite being down on the Australian team by 1.3 seconds after one kilometre, King, Trott and Rowsell knew they shouldn't panic and rode at their pace.

As the Australian trio of Annette Edmondson, Melissa Hoskins and Josephine Tomic crumbled under the strain in the final laps, Britain carried on, swiftly overhauling the deficit to set a stunning time and earn the right to wear the coveted rainbow jersey for another year.

Australia's time of 3:16.943 was still well inside the old world record set by the GB team at the London World Cup in February, showing just how much both squads have progressed in the past few weeks.

Canada beat New Zealand to take the bronze medal.

On Wednesday, the Great Britain men's team pursuit squad of Ed Clancy, Peter Kennaugh, Steven Burke and Geraint Thomas also won the world title and set a new world record. Once again, it was the home nation that was overhauled in the gold medal final.

The 2012 World Track Championships are taking place in the Hisense Arena, Melbourne, and conclude on Sunday, April 8.

Related links

LIVE: Track World Championships 2012 text coverage

Great Britain men break team pursuit world record to win gold

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