Great Britain qualify fastest in men's team pursuit at Track World Championships

Bradley Wiggins leads GB in the team pursuit, Track World Championships 2016

(Image credit: Andy Jones)

published 2 March 2016

Sir Bradley Wiggins, Jonathan Dibben, Steven Burke and Owain Doull of Great Britain set the fastest qualifying time for the men's team pursuit on the opening day of the 2016 UCI Track World Championships in London.

At times, Wiggins's team-mates appeared to be struggling to keep pace with the multiple Olympic medallist and 2012 Tour de France champion, but they held it together to clock 3-55.664 and beat the time set by Australia by a narrow margin.

Australia qualified second fastest in the team pursuit, Track World Championships 2016 — Australia qualified second fastest in the team pursuit at the Track World Championships 2016

The Italian team of Elia Viviani, Liam Bertazzo, Simone Consonni, Francesco Lamon caused the biggest surprise, posting a 3-57.8 to set an early fast time and set a new Italian national record. They ultimately qualified fourth.

Sam Welsford, Michael Hepburn, Alexander Porter and Miles Scotson of Australia were the first to crack Italy's time, stopping the clock at 3-55.867, enough to qualify second fastest. New Zealand were third quickest with 3-57.050.

Italy will now ride against Great Britain in round one, with Australia and New Zealand facing each other to book a place in the finals.

Great Britain during qualifying for the team pursuit, Track World Championships 2016

New Zealand were third quickest in qualifying, Track World Championships 2016

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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.

Great Britain qualify fastest in men's team pursuit at Track World Championships

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