Great Britain women set new world record in team pursuit qualifier

Friday 3, August: Dani King, Laura Trott and Joanna Rowsell of Great Britain set a new world record in the Women's Team Pursuit Track Cycling qualifier (Getty)

Great Britain's women advanced with a world record in team pursuit qualifying on the second day of competition at the London 2012 Olympic Velodrome.

Britain's men were poised to ride-off against perennial rivals Australia for gold and, not to be outdone, the World Championship-winning women's squad of Dani King, Laura Trott and Joanna Rowsell clocked three minutes 15.669 seconds to go through to tomorrow's first round.

The British trio, who lowered their own best set in April in Melbourne, were set to meet Canada in what is effectively a semi-final tomorrow.

Canada clocked 3mins 19.816secs to progress in fourth, while second-fastest qualifiers the United States (3:19.406) were set to meet Australia (3:19.719), the third quickest, in the second semi-final.

Earlier, and with Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins - Olympic champion in the event in 2008 - watching in the back straight and the Earl of Wessex in the home straight, Ed Clancy, Geraint Thomas, Peter Kennaugh and Steven Burke clocked 3:52.743 - the second fastest time in history - to set up their gold medal duel with Australia.

The British quartet, who set a world record of 3:52.499 in qualifying, were set to be unchanged for the final, meaning Andy Tennant was poised to be left in reserve and without a medal.

PA