Houvenaghel qualifies second fastest in pursuit

Great Britain's Wendy Houvenaghel posted the second fastest individual pursuit qualifying time at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark, this afternoon.

Houvenaghel's time of 3-30.377 means that she will now face fastest qualifier Sarah Hammer (USA) in the ride for the coveted rainbow jersey this evening.

Hammer posted an impressive qualifying time of 3-27.826, a new personal best - the only rider to go under the magic 3-30 mark.

Hammer won the individual pursuit world title in 2006 and 2007.

At last year's championships Houvenaghel qualified fastest but lost out on the gold medal to New Zealand's Alison Shanks - who qualified third fastest in Copenhagen today.

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Women's individual pursuit: 10 fastest qualifying times

1. Sarah Hammer (USA) 3-27.826

2. Wendy Houvenaghel (GB) 3-30.377

3. Alison Shanks (NZl) 3-31.259

4. Vilija Sereikaite (Ltu) 3-31.905

5. Ellen Van Dijk (Ned) 3-33.704

6. Lesya Kalitovska (Ukr) 3-36.159

7. Jaime Nielsen (NZl) 3-37.212

8. Vera Koedooder (Ned) 3-37.466

9. Tara Whitten (Can) 3-38.315

10. Fan Jiang (Chn) 3-38.519

Wendy Houvenaghel cools down as she warms up

A massive effort starts off Wendy Houvenaghel's qualifying ride

Team GB's Paul Manning keeps an eye on the time for Wendy Houvenaghel

Sarah Hammer during her blisteringly fast qualifying ride

The Ballerup Arena

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