British team pursuiters dominate on opening day of European Track Cycling Championships

Britain's women's team pursuit squad were over nine seconds faster than their nearest rivals in qualifying ©British Cycling

Britain’s team pursuit squads began the defence of their titles in stunning style as they dominated the qualifying rounds at the European Track Cycling Championships in Grenchen, Switzerland.

With the British team having earned an unexpectedly low tally of just three silver medals in Paris during the 2015 World Championships in February, they were looking for the perfect start to this track season prior to hosting the 2016 Worlds in London and the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Having been beaten for the first time in four years at the World Championships by Australia, the women’s team pursuit squad of Laura Trott, Joanna Rowsell Shand, Ciara Horne and Elinor Barker were expected to post the fastest qualifying time and they duly delivered by completing the four kilometre distance in 4 mins 21.09sec.

It proved to be far too good for their rivals as Russia finished as the second fastest team in qualifying but were more than nine seconds adrift of Britain, while Italy and Poland earned their places in the second round with times of 4:32.48 and 4:33.31 respectively.

Britain therefore remain overwhelming favourites to secure the European title and they will take on Poland in the first round as they pursue a place in the final, while Russia and Italy will bid for the second berth in the gold medal ride.

The British men’s team, who like the women are reigning Olympic champions, also produced an excellent opening ride to qualify fastest for the first round of the event.

Britain's men will face Russia in the first round of the competition ©Twitter/grenchen2015

Featuring four-time Olympic champion Sir Bradley Wiggins, who was returning to the line-up after missing the National Track Championships through illness, as well as Steven Burke, Owain Doull and Andy Tennant, they finished in a time of 3:57.28.

They now face the challenge of Russia who qualified fourth in a time of 4:01.15, while Switzerland and France will compete in the second first round contest having posted times of 3:59.02 and 4:00.74 respectively.

Both team pursuit competitions will draw to a conclusion tomorrow while team sprint, men’s scratch and the women’s points medals are all set to be awarded on day two.