GB women's team pursuit squad see Worlds hopes slip away after below par first heat
The GB quartet struggled to live up to their own standards in the opening run out at the Track World Championships
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VLM5azbDk7nKQHaCSEjQsf-415-80.jpg)
The GB Womens team pursuit at the New Zealand World Cup track event in 2015
A day after their male counterparts finished fastest in qualifying, Great Britain's women's team pursuit squad struggled in their first heat at the Track World Championships on Thursday afternoon.
The quartet – comprising Joanna Rowsell Shand, Laura Trott, Elinor Barker and Ciara Horne – recorded a time of 4-21.454, which left them fifth in the standings.
>>> Track Worlds day one: Mixed day for GB as team pursuit go fastest, while team sprinters miss out
The team's one-and-a-half lap turn strategy worked OK for the first 2,500 metres, before a tiring Horne, and then Rowsell Shand, could only manage a lap and half a lap stint at the front of the train respectively.
Both were then dropped, and as Trott and Barker rode on at speed. Rowsell Shand crossed the line several seconds behind the pair.
GB will ride against China in the next stage, and will need to produce the second quickest time from what are effectively repechage heats to qualify for the bronze medal final, the most they can now salvage from the event.
It's a remarkable turn of fortunes, given the squad were unbeaten in the discipline between 2011 and last year's Worlds; what once looked to be a likely gold medal in Rio no longer looks a shoe-in.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
USA topped the standings, posting a national record of 4-16.180, beating Canada by over four seconds. Reigning world champions Australia placed fourth, just behind New Zealand. The winners of the USA/Australia and Canada/New Zealand first round heats tomorrow will square off for gold.
Before then, the British men's team will face Italy in the first round at 4.30pm, and are expected to make the gold medal ride-off that will take place tonight.
Andy Tennant will replace Jon Dibben in the one change from the line-up who competed in yesterday's qualifying heat.
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
Nick Bull is an NCTJ qualified journalist who has written for a range of titles, as well as being a freelance writer at Beat Media Group, which provides reports for the PA Media wire which is circulated to the likes of the BBC and Eurosport. His work at Cycling Weekly predominantly dealt with professional cycling, and he now holds a role as PR & Digital Manager at SweetSpot Group, which organises the Tour of Britain.
-
Team USA aims for 7-10 cycling medals at Paris Olympics, here are the top American contenders to watch
Chloe Dygert, Jennifer Valente, and Hannah Roberts among top contenders to contribute to the medal count
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Cofidis leaps to defend its Look bikes in the wake of Guillaume Martin comments
The French WorldTour team says the machines are cutting edge and reiterates trust in wheel sponsor too
By James Shrubsall Published
-
Team USA's Olympic hopes land on the shoulders of its female athletes
For the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, USA Cycling has set the ambitious goal of securing 7-10 medals, placing their hopes squarely on the shoulders of their female athletes.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Herne Hill Velodrome expecting 'smashfest' as UCI track event returns
GB athletes set to go up against local riders at South London Grand Prix this week
By Tom Davidson Published
-
GB cyclist breaks gym record with mega 250kg squat
'The more I've lifted in the gym, the faster I've felt on the bike,' says new record-holder Matt Rotherham
By Tom Davidson 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
-
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
-
'I'm sure I could get over 2,000 watts' - meet the Gladiators contestant with track sprinting ambitions
Jamie Christian, also known as Giant, has jaw-dropping power on a bike
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Why aren't GB using the new Hope-Lotus Olympic track bikes?
An updated design was released last July, but might not feature in competition before the summer
By Tom Davidson Published