British team pursuiters on course for more World Cup success

By Steven Chicken, Sportsbeat, in Manchester

GREAT Britain will start red-hot favourites for the men's and women's team pursuit titles at the UCI World Cup.

ON COURSE: World champions Lizzie Armitstead, Wendy Houvenaghel World champions Lizzie Armitstead, Wendy Houvenaghel and Joanna Rowsell were quickest in this morning's women's team pursuit qualifying (Getty Images)

Steven Burke, Ed Clancy, Ben Swift and Geraint Thomas were quickest in qualifying by a staggering 11 seconds, as they clocked 3.57.709 around the Manchester Velodrome.

They will now face Spain in the race for gold while Germany and the Ukraine will battle for bronze.

Great Britain also impressed in the women's pursuit, an event which is expected to be added to the Olympic programme next month.

World champions Lizzie Armitstead, Joanna Rowsell and Wendy Houvenaghel were just a second outside the world record in qualifying - finishing four second quicker than nearest rivals - and final opponents - Germany.

Elsewhere, Victoria Pendleton eased through qualifying in the women's keirin but there was disappointment for her British team-mates.

Double junior world champion Becky James made an early exit while Jess Varnish was disqualified.

Sir Chris Hoy will look for his third title at the opening event in the World Cup season in the team sprint later today - where Great Britain, who have already won seven gold medals, will again be the team to watch.

Hoy will be joined by Jamie Staff and fellow Scot Ross Edgar but the four-time Olympic champion has withdrawn from the invitational keirin event later today.