GB women go for team pursuit gold

Great Britain's Laura Trott, Dani King and Elinor Barker will ride for the women's team pursuit gold against perennial rivals Australia after qualifying fastest by almost two seconds on day two of the Track Cycling World Championships in Minsk.

Trott and King won world and Olympic titles in 2012 and were joined in the line-up by 18-year-old Barker, with Joanna Rowsell concentrating on the road this year.

The trio finished in 3:18.704, while Australia's Annette Edmondson, Ashlee Ankudinoff and Melissa Hoskins clocked 3:20.696 to go through to the gold medal ride-off.

Britain have a rich history in the 3km team pursuit, which following this competition will become a 4km, four-rider event, and are seeking a fifth title in six years since it was added to the programme in 2008.

The only loss in that time came when Australia won gold in 2010.

Trott and King have won the last two World Championships and are seeking a hat-trick, while Barker is making her senior debut.

Canada (3:22.784) and Poland (3:28.096) will meet for bronze.