GB men take cycling gold

Friday, August 15: Great Britain's men powered to gold in the team sprint event on the first day of cycling at the Laoshan Velodrome. They beat the French in the final, clocking a time of 43.13 to earn the first of what could be a number of golds.

Team GB's much-hyped track cyclists announced their arrival in style - the men's team smashed world record in the first round of the sprint. Jamie Staff, with the fastest opening leg in history, Jason Kenny and Chris Hoy set a time of 42.95 seconds and sent out a clear statement of intent to the rest of the cycling world. They qualified for the final in a time just over 43 seconds in their second ride.

Minutes after the world record fell Bradley Wiggins broke his own Olympic record in the individual pursuit. He set a time of 4min 15.031 as he cruised into the next round.

Not to be outdone, Steven Burke, who only found out he was taking part in the competition on Thursday, took an amazing nine seconds off his personal best in making it through the first round.

Then it was the turn of the women. First Wendy Houvenaghal posted a lifetime best and new British record in the women's individual pursuit, then Rebecca Romero, the previous record holder, posted a time just two tenths of a second slower. The pair were the two fastest qualifiers in the first round.

Elswhere, there was the guarantee of success on the water as Ben Ainslie was assured of at least a silver in the Finn class going into the final race tomorrow, while the women's Yngling trio also lead their class and are guaranteed at least a bronze.

LAST UPDATED 11:30 AM, AUGUST 15, 2008