Britain secure double team pursuit gold at European Track Cycling Championships

Britain secured gold in the men's race after a tough battle with Switzerland ©UEC

Britain’s team pursuit squads claimed double gold on the second day of the European Track Cycling Championships, although the men’s team had a close battle with the hosts Switzerland in the final at Grenchen.

Having qualified fastest in qualifying, the British team had enjoyed a straightforward first round win over Russia to advance to the gold medal ride, but it was clear they would face a sterner test as the home favourites had finished nearly a second faster in 3min 56.79sec to beat France.

The British quartet of Sir Bradley Wiggins, Andy Tennant, Owain Doull and Jon Dibben,however, took control of the final and began to build a comfortable advantage in the closing stages of the four kilometre event to take gold in 3:55.24, with Switzerland finishing in 3:57.25.

After producing an impressive time in their first round, Denmark faced France in the ride for the bronze medal and they secured their place on the podium, finishing in 3:57.93.

Britain’s women’s team pursuit squad of Laura Trott, Katie Archibald, Joanna Rowsell Shand and Elinor Barker provided the performance of the day, catching the Russians in their final to secure the gold but continued to complete the distance in 4:17.010.

“It’s so rare, we’ve never had a catch where we’ve continued on riding,” Archibald said.

“Our coach Paul Manning had said to us beforehand that he wants us to do three full rides and we all kinda went, ‘Really?’

“But it’s been a pretty exciting challenge in itself, new tactics and things.”

Britain dominated the women's team pursuit to defend their title ©British Cycling

The British team missed out in the team sprint competition, though, as the Russian team of Daria Shmeleva and Anastasiia Voinova claimed a stunning win over three-time world champions Miriam Welte and Kristina Vogel of Germany, finishing in 32.44.

The Netherlands completed the podium positions, clocking 33.09 to beat Spain in the bronze medal ride.

Their men’s squad won the men’s team sprint in 43.23, edging out a Polish team, who clocked 43.36.

Germany beat France in the bronze medal match, finishing in 43.21.

In the two individual events to take place there was gold medal success for Spain and Poland, with Sebastian Mora Vedri winning gold for the latter in the men’s scratch race after he lapped the field.

Home favourite Tristan Marguet and Poland’s Adrian Teklinkski won the minor medals, winning a sprint finish to secure silver and bronze respectively behind the Spanish rider.

Meanwhile in the women’s points race, Poland’s Katarzyna Pawlowska showed she had recovered from a crash earlier in the day by producing an attacking displaying to take the victory on 46 points.

France’s Elise Delzenne and Germany’s Stephanie Pohl earned 35 and 32 points to win the silver and bronze medals respectively.