The women’s team pursuit is making its debut at an Olympic Games here in London. This marks the first time in history that men and women will race the same amount of events on the velodrome at an Olympics.
This balance comes after the removal of the Madison, individual pursuits and points races from the program allowing it.
At the World Champions in Melbourne earlier this year, it was the British team of Danielle King, Laura Trott and Joanna Rowsell who defeated the Australian team of Annette Edmondson, Melissa Hoskins and Josephine Tomic.
They won by 1.223 seconds to take gold in a world-record time of 3:15.720.
Despite this, like the men, Great Britain didn’t win gold in the individual event. However they did do better with Wendy Houvenaghel winning silver behind New Zealand’s Alison Shanks.
The Women’s team pursuit has been run at the World Championships now since 2008. Great Britain leads the medal table with four of the five gold medals, two in world record time, and one silver in 2010.
It was the Australian team of Josephine Tomic, Ashlee Ankudinoff and Sarah Kent who have Australia’s sole gold in the team pursuit, beating out the Brits by just over half a second.
Interestingly in 2010, New Zealand broke the world record in the bronze-medal ride off, a time that would have won gold by two-tenths of a second.
Australia received a medal of each colour from the World Champions event.
I can’t see anyone but the Brits winning this event.
Australia tried valiantly in Melbourne, going out very hard and taking up to the Brits. But the cool heads at Team GB saw them storm over the top of our Aussie girls in the final 750m two win the event.
I think we’ll see the same happen here.
Heidi
Guest
Hamleyn, I am totally agree the hard training part, just look at the Team Sky in TDF, but since you mention the Equipment (I am assuming bike is classified as equipment), I read somewhere saying the GB use slighly unnoticeable advanced track bikes (not sure how true it is), consider evey second count in this type of race, should all the teams use the same technology to compete each other, that will show the true winner of the race. Don't get me wrong, I still agree the GB cycling team is the best team this year, as you said, the amount of the money and training they put in, no surprise for their success from TDF to Olympic.
Colin N
Guest
As for GB in the cycling, look at the talent they have in their ranks. I'll break down the world records for the four events: Women's teams sprint, men's team spint and the two pursuit teams. Varnish is an exceptional lead-off and Pendleton's an exceptional sprinter. She hasn't had a great time of it siince Beijing with personal issues generally affecting her form, but since late 2011, things have started to come together. I think it was the World Champs in Melbourne where she showed she was getting back to her best. It's no surprise that she's peaked for the Olympics. The men's sprint team contains two of the world's best, possibly ever, sprinters. The women's pursuit team is incredibly talented. Laura Trott has been earmarked for a while and are world champions. The men's pursuit team contain two of the gold medalists from Beijing, but one of those, Geraint Thomas, focused on the road for the three years after the Olympics. He came back in late 2011 and they've gradually improved. I was actually impressed by Australia's pursuit team, but theyre carrying a rider - O'Shea I think. If they can get rid of him, they could go down to 3:52
Colin N
Guest
It's a fair point, but China have a history of doping and, with the odd exception, Great Britain don't. I've always had the attitude that innocent until proven guilty but I can understand the doubts that went with the young Chinese swimmer's perfomance. I'll add more later but I'm just about to go out.
Roger the Alien
Guest
My main point is that if the Chinese were doing it there would be a hue and cry. There is a double standard in attitudes.
Darryl Kotyk
Roar Pro
Great coverage, Nic. Too bad the Australians couldn't get into the podium.
Roger Rational
Guest
4 golds for GB on the velodrome. (Men's Team Sprint, Men's Pursuit, Women's Pursuit, Pendleton in Keirin). It should really be 5 but for the DQ in the Women's sprint.
hamleyn
Roar Guru
Great Britain now have 3 gold to Germany's 1 on the velodrome. No other nation has won a gold medal yet. However, there is plenty of action still to come from the track. Another night of high drama done and dusted. GB smash another world record on what is undoubtedly the faster track in the world. Thanks so much for joining me tonight. That's my Olympic coverage done and dusted. It's been a great experience doing my first live blogging. Have a pleasant weekend and enjoy watching the rest of the games. I know I will! Good evening everyone!
hamleyn
Roar Guru
Gold Medal Final RESULTS: Gold: GREAT BRITAIN: 3:14:051 (WR) Silver: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: 3:19.727 A brilliant ride and another World Record by the Brits, slicing a few hundredths off their previous time. They take gold again and have utterly dominated the track so far. Silver for the USA. Canada's ride for bronze was fast enough for silver but as they weren't in the Gold medal ride-off, they have to settle for 3rd. Huge outpouring of emotion for Team GB, with a bumper crowd loving every second of it. Mark Cavendish is highly emotional in the stands.
hamleyn
Roar Guru
2000m: Another gold barring a crash waiting for GB here. They're 2.353 ahead.
hamleyn
Roar Guru
1500m: At halfway, its still Team GB, USA are falling away now 1.718 behind.
hamleyn
Roar Guru
1000m: Great Britain have the early lead. Changeovers are good, looking strong, 0.780 ahead.
hamleyn
Roar Guru
Now, GB v USA for Gold. GB are raging hot favourites but can USA spring a huge upset? They're away, lets see!
hamleyn
Roar Guru
Bronze Medal Final RESULTS Bronze: CANADA - 3:17.915 4th: AUSTRALIA - 3:18.096 What a brilliant race! Canada gets a surprise medal. Australia will be disappointed to have missed out here, having taken silver at the World Champs in April.
hamleyn
Roar Guru
2000m: Canada lead but by thousandths of a second. This is going to the wire!
hamleyn
Roar Guru
1500m: Canada respond, now .127 in front! Great racing here!
hamleyn
Roar Guru
1000m: And the early lead goes to Australia. They lead by .181, having closed an early gap.
hamleyn
Roar Guru
Just over 3 minutes of pain to go. Must say I'm not fussed who wins. Canada are my second country.
hamleyn
Roar Guru
5/6 Final RESULTS: 5. NEW ZEALAND - 3:19.351 6. THE NETHERLANDS - 3:23.256 On time at least, The Netherlands should finish 8th. However, being in the 5/6 Final, they will finish 6th, after being utterly trounced by the Kiwis. Now for the Bronze medal final. Let's go Aussies!
hamleyn
Roar Guru
2000m: Still NZ out in front. 2.669 in front of the Dutch. They will easily take 5th barring a disaster.
hamleyn
Roar Guru
1500m: Its all the Kiwis at the moment. They're riding well and are now a massive 1.943 in front.