Great Britain's team pursuiters dominate European Track Champs qualification
Great Britain's male and female team pursuit squads both qualified fastest by a clear margin at the European Track Championships in Switzerland - Photos from Graham Watson
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LiAzKoMydhARwoJXEgioUE-415-80.jpg)
Great Britain in the 2015 European Track Championships
Great Britain dominated the opening team pursuit qualifying rounds at the European Track Championship in Grenchen, Switzerland, on Wednesday. Both GB's male and female quartets clocked the fastest times by a clear margin over their nearest rivals.
Sir Bradley Wiggins, Steven Burke, Owain Doull and Andy Tennant set a time of 3-57.277 to average 60.688 km/h and go comfortably under the four-minute mark. The team will face Russia in the championship's first proper day of competition tomorrow (Thursday) as they seek to gain a place in the gold medal final.
Switzerland were the only other team to post a sub-four-minute time, going second fastest with 3-59.026. France were third with 4-00.735.
"We didn't really know what to expect coming in because we've been doing a lot of training into it," Doull commented to British Cycling.
"That was the aim to do something around that time and have a nice smooth consistent ride. Yeah pretty successful."
>>> Where to watch the European Track Championships
It's the first clear indication that Wiggins has slotted into the GB line-up with ease, complementing Burke, Doull and Tennant. At this point, the performance looks on target for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Also on target were the British women's quartet of Laura Trott, Elinor Barker, Ciara Horne and Joanna Rowsell Shand, who were clearly in a league of their own.
The squad posted a time of 4-21.089, some nine and a half seconds quicker than second-placed Russia. Italy qualified third fastest.
>> Hoy: British track riders can score morale points at European Championships
GB's women will face Poland on Thursday in the first round, which also includes the team sprint, men's scratch race and women's point race.
The 2015 European Track Championships run until Sunday, October 18.
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.
-
MADE, world’s largest handmade bike show, returns to Portland this August; tickets on sale now
MADE, the world’s largest celebration of the art and craftsmanship of bicycle building, will return for its second edition in Portland, Oregon, this August.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
We tried the Santini Unisex jersey and it made me challenge my preconceived prejudices
As a concept, unisex clothing sounds like a compromise that inhibits personal choice. Santini's take, with its clever design, high-tech fabrics and appealing hues, is anything but
By Hannah Bussey Published
-
Bradley Wiggins joins Lance Armstrong for Tour de France podcast
The former Tour de France winner will be appearing on The Move for the next week
By Adam Becket Published
-
Bradley Wiggins declared bankrupt - reports
The Tour de France winner was in an Individual Voluntary Arrangement since 2020
By Adam Becket 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
-
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
-
Laura Kenny: ‘I hope people don’t expect me to make it to the Olympics’
Five-time gold medallist says she was ready to sacrifice Olympics return to have second child
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Bradley Wiggins says he suffered ‘borderline rape’ during three years of 'abuse' by coach
Speaking on Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast, Wiggins says he now “hates cycling” and only ever used the sport as a distraction
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Maindy Flyers CC say moving Cardiff velodrome risks them missing the next Geraint Thomas
Earlier this week, historic Welsh club where Geraint Thomas, Owain Doull and Elinor Barker started out released open letter detailing their opposition to relocation
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Laura Kenny expecting second child
Olympic star shares news of pregnancy in heartfelt social media post
By Adam Becket Published