Great Britain enjoy successful first day at Hong Kong track world Cup - Gallery

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The Great Britain team enjoyed a successful first day of racing at the Hong Kong track World Cup, qualifying fastest in the men’s team sprint and the women’s team pursuit, and securing a place in the final of the women’s sprint.

Mark Cavendish was part of Great Britain men’s team pursuit as they finished sixth in the qualification round despite Kian Emadi being hit by a puncture and crashing during the ride. The remaining trio finished five seconds slower than Australia but can still qualify for a medal ride in the first round of racing on Saturday. Cavendish will be in action in the first Omnium events on Saturday and so may not ride in the team pursuit. Great Britain will race against the seventh fastest qualifier, the Netherlands, in the first round, giving them a solid chance of qualifying for the finals if they pick up the pace.

Jolien D'Hoore (Belgium) won the women’s points race final in the evening of the first day of racing, while Benjamin Thomas of France won the extra men’s scratch and points race events. Belarus’ Marina Shmayankova won the scratch race ahead of Laura Trott.

The Great Britain team has endured a tough time in recent events after winning Olympic gold in 2012 but showed they are back on form in time for the Olympic year by qualifying fastest in a time of 43.886, with Phil Hindes, Jason Kenny and Matt Crampton. The Olympic champions will face Poland in the final on Saturday, while Russia and Australia fight for the bronze medal.

The Great Britain women’s team was again unbeatable over four kilometres. Laura Trott, Elinor Barker, Ciara Horne and Joanna Rowsell-Shand set a time of 4:19.369, beating the USA, who was second with a distant with 4:23.696. Canada was a close third in 4:23.790. Like in the men’s pursuit, the fastest eight teams go into the first round. Great Britain will face China, while the USA takes on Canada.

RusVelo qualified fastest in the women’s team sprint, with their trio setting a time of 32.839. They will face Great Britain in the final after Jess Varnish and Katy Marchant finished second fastest in a time of 33.496. Spain will face Canada in the ride for the bronze medal.

Saturday’s full day of racing will also see the start of the men’s and women’s sprint and the final of the men’s and women’s Keirin. Cavendish will compete in three of the six Omnium events – the 10km scratch race, the individual 3km pursuit and the Elimination race.

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