Great Britain Cycling Team got off to the perfect start at the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships with gold and silver in the women’s B individual pursuit.

Sophie Thornhill and Corrine Hall took gold in Los Angeles as British pairs dominated the podium on the opening day of racing.

Silver went to Lora Fachie and Hazel Macleod after a thrilling all-British final with Alison Patrick, piloted by Helen Scott, finishing fourth.

Qualification

Qualifying started in the best way possible, with Aileen McGlynn and Louise Haston taking to the track first and posting a time of 3:47.939 - the early mark to beat.

The challenge had been set by the British pair, and Patrick and Scott proved they were more than equal to the task in the next heat, posting a new fastest time of 3:41.034 to lead at the halfway stage of qualification.

Thornhill and Hall then became the third Great Britain Cycling Team duo to lead the rankings, having set a time of 3:33.980.

That left Lora Fachie and Hazel Macleod in the final heat - the pairing unable to overhaul Thornhill and Hall’s time, crossing the line in 3:37.342, good enough for a place in the gold medal final.

Finals

After a two hour break, Patrick and Scott took to the track first, against the Belgian team of Griet Host and Annaleen Monsieur, who posted a time around two and a half seconds faster than the Brits in qualifying.

The British riders set off at a blistering pace, attempting to catch their opponents, but found Host and Monsieur in resilient form.

The Belgians held off the challenge and attacked in the second phase of the race, opening up a significant lead and crossing the line in 3:40.451, just over seven seconds quicker than Patrick and Scott.

Finishing 4th in my first race in a cycling world champs ain't too shabby. Was fun trying it the hard way too thanks @Scottie2507 https://t.co/RHshfOFZCT

— Alison Patrick (@ali_p87) March 3, 2017

The stage was then set for a thrilling battle of the Brits - with Fachie and Macleod looking to reverse the positions of the earlier qualifying session.

In an especially quick final, Fachie and Macleod stayed in touching distance of their teammates and rivals, but found Thornhill and Hall's pace too hot to handle as the fastest qualifiers rode their way to gold, in a time of 3:35.341.

Fachie and Macleod claimed silver, finishing in 3:40.631.

Attention stateside now turns to Jon Gildea and Jody Cundy, with the C4 and C5 1km time trials taking place late on Friday night (UK time).

Results

B individual pursuit

Gallery