GB women’s team pursuit trio of Wendy Houvenaghel, Laura Trott and Danielle King boosted British spirits by claiming gold on day two of the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Apeldoorn, Netherlands.
After dominating qualification, the Great Britain girls produced a polished performance in the final, defeating the USA in 3 minutes 23.419 seconds.
Last month, at the Manchester World Cup, Great Britain achieved the second fastest time in history with 3 minutes 19.757 seconds and Houvenaghel was part of the squad.
Youngsters, Trott and King, made their senior world championship debuts yesterday. They are being thrown in at the deep-end with experienced Houvenaghel, 36, but their performance in the team pursuit proved strength in depth and exciting potential looking ahead to London 2012.
GB cycling head coach, Shane Sutton, says they have all been picked on form and there’s a strong chance they could feature in London.
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Trott may only be 18 but having stood out in the GB junior system as a bright star for the future finishing off last year with a gold medal in the omnium at the world juniors, and silver in the individual pursuit. She has now got a world senior gold medal to add to the collection.
King is two years older but still lacks experience on the track. She is known mainly for her achievements in the criterium as the current British champion, although her potential on the track had always been recognised.
Olympic Champion, Victoria Pendleton, was not as lucky in Apeldoorn yesterday, just missing out on gold in the team sprint to help Australian Anna Meares to her third consecutive world championship title.
Pendleton and partner, Jess Varnish, may have lost out on the rainbow jerseys but they have added a silver medal to the British tally with a time of 33.525 seconds.
Still positive, Pendleton was delighted by the achievement after only finishing eighth with Shanaze Reade at last month’s World Cup in Manchester.
Pendleton is encouraged by 19-year-old Varnish and said that if anyone can compete with Anna Meares and her consistent 18.8-second lap, Jess can.
“I am fabulously impressed every time I work with Jess,” she said.
Olivia Townley, Sportsister
The Women’s Sport Magazine
