British team start Hong Kong Track World Cup in blistering form
GB women's team pursuiters and men's sprinters team qualify fastest in the opening day at the UCI Track World Cup in Hong Kong - Cavendish and GB squad qualify sixth in men's team pursuit - Silver for Laura Trott in women's scratch race - Emily Nelson claims bronze in women's points race
Great Britain's track cyclists have made a strong start in the final round of the UCI Track World Cup in Hong Kong, with both the women's team pursuit and men's team sprint line-ups qualifying fastest.
The likely 2016 Olympic Games quartet of Laura Trott, Elinor Barker, Ciara Horne and Joanna Rowsell-Shand put in a blistering performance to qualify fastest in the women's team pursuit by over four seconds. Their time of 4-19.369 was comfortably ahead of second-placed USA (4-23.696).
The GB women will progress to the first round on Saturday, where they will face China.
It must be with some relief for the British camp to see the men's team sprint squad qualify fastest. Jason Kenny, Philip Hindes and Matt Crampton produced the quickest time, beating Poland by less than a tenth of a second. It means the GB squad go straight through to the gold medal final against Poland tomorrow.
>>> Mark Cavendish and Laura Trott headline GB track squad for Hong Kong World Cup
After several changes in line-up since Sir Chris Hoy's retirement, and some below-par performances in the past few seasons, it now looks as though the GB men's sprint team have gelled and are producing the power to hit the top just in time for the Olympics.
The women's team sprint duo of Katy Marchant and Jess Varnish also put in a strong ride, placing second behind Russian outfit Rusvelo and booking their place in the gold medal final.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Trott ended Friday's session by claiming silver in the women's scratch race behind Marina Shmayankova (Belarus). British rider Emily Nelson, 19, placed third in the women's points race, claiming GB's first medal of the event. Belgian Jolien D'hoore took gold.
The men's team pursuit line-up of Mark Cavendish, Oliver Wood, Kian Emadi and Chris Latham put in the sixth fastest time, with Australia qualifying fastest.
It's Cavendish's first appearance in a Track World Cup since 2009, and he took part alongside a youthful squad in Hong Kong to gain experience.
Watch: How much faster does a skinsuit make you?
Former sprinter Emadi joined the team pursuit line-up as a last-minute replacement for an ill Matt Gibson.
Germain Burton placed 11th in the men's scratch race behind Thomas Benjamin of France. Irishman Felix English placed fourth.
Cavendish will now line up for the omnium, starting on Saturday - the discipline that he hopes to contest in Rio. Olympic champion Laura Trott will be in action for Great Britain in the women's omnium. Becky James joins Marchant in the women's sprint, and Crampton will contest the men's keirin.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
I’m a fat cyclist; these are the top 3 misconceptions people have about bigger riders and why they’re wrong
After my recent 'We're fat cyclists' reel went viral, I realized I had hit a nerve
By Marley Blonsky Published
-
8 pro mechanic set-up hacks inspired by the Spring Classics
Riding the rough stuff? Glen Whittington, our resident pro mechanic, ramps up speed and comfort with hacks from the cobbled classics
By Glen Whittington Published
-
'It was surreal' - Mark Cavendish turns up at local Isle of Man race, finishes 29th
The Manxman, a big supporter of his home scene, pinned on race numbers last weekend
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Laura Kenny, Britain’s most successful female Olympian, announces retirement
Kenny won five Olympic and seven world titles during her illustrious career on the track
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I'm horrendously competitive': Get to know GB track sprinter Sophie Capewell
Olympic hopeful tells Cycling Weekly about her cyclocross roots, wanting to be a scientist, and her proudest moment to date
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Laura Kenny has a 'slim chance' of competing at Paris Olympics
The Olympic legend is currently training away from the GB squad, says performance director
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Zwift might be about to add a new map, leaked pictures suggest
Zwifters might soon be able to compete in a virtual Omnium, or take on the Hour Record
By Tom Davidson Published
-
‘It’s a performance thing’ - why riders are eating Calippos and Greggs steak bakes to fuel gold medals
Forget expensive gels, the best race nutrition comes from corner shops
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tweets of the week: Mark Cavendish has a run-in with police dogs
The Brit was sniffed out at the UAE Tour, and reacted as all of us would
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tweets of the week: Mark Cavendish takes mid-race selfie with fan
It was photo time at the Tour Colombia in another wild week on social media
By Tom Davidson Published