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Brit's hunt for track gold

By Agence France Presse
Published: Mar. 26, 2009
At least so far, the velodrome in Pruszkow hasn't turned into a gold mine for the British team.
At least so far, the velodrome in Pruszkow hasn't turned into a gold mine for the British team.
Photo: Agence France Presse

The British team that has dominated track cycling at the Olympics and worlds competition in past years is set to redress the gold medals balance Thursday after missing out on victory four times on the opening day of the world championships in Pruszkow, Poland.

Great Britain, which won seven of ten titles on offer at the Beijing Olympics last year, have so far lived up to claims of taking a relaxed approach to a gradual build-up to the London Olympics in 2012.

On the opening day Britain failed to net gold in the men's team sprint and points race and the women's pursuit and 500m time trial.

Olympic silver medalist Jason Kenny, however, is among those hoping to redress the balance. He is a contender for gold Thursday when the men's keirin and individual pursuit are the highlights of a schedule which features five finals.

Britain's defending world pursuit champion Bradley Wiggins is absent from the championships, leaving 19-year-old American Taylor Phinney as the top favorite in the 4km event.

Olympic sprint champion Victoria Pendleton, who won bronze Wednesday in the 500m, will team up with BMX specialist Shanaze Reade in a bid to win the women's team sprint.

Wendy Houvenaghel, a pursuit silver medalist behind teammate Rebecca Romero at the Beijing Olympics, will then team up with Joanna Rowsell and Lizzie Armitstead as favorites for gold in the women's team pursuit.

Houvenaghel was beaten to pursuit gold on Wednesday by New Zealand's Alison Shanks while Rowsell lost the battle for the bronze medal against Vilija Sereikaite of Lithuania.

Isle of Man rider Mark Cavendish, a professional road rider with the Columbia team, has made a surprise appearance at the championships just days after winning the prestigious Milan-San Remo one-day classic.

He trained for a few hours on the track on Wednesday and will line up for the men's scratch final.

All five final rounds are scheduled for Thursday evening.

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