Berlin: Reigning champions Australia and Britain were given a rude awakening at the UCI track world championships as Denmark left them trailing in the men's team pursuit qualifying round to shatter the world record.
The blue-riband event has traditionally been a battle between Britain and Australia at both world championships and Olympics, but neither can now challenge for gold in Berlin.
Denmark’s team pursuit quartet has broken the world record.Credit:AP
Australia were missing the injured Kelland O'Brien who was part of their 2019 world record-breaking team.
Denmark, New Zealand, France and Italy were the fastest qualifiers and will go into the first round later on Wednesday as the only nations chasing gold and silver.
Australia and Britain, who have won the last four men's team pursuit world titles, will be left scrapping for bronze.
Australia's women's team were also fifth fastest in qualification, meaning they too cannot go for gold.
Britain, missing Laura Kenny, were second-quickest behind the United States whose road time-trial world champion Chloe Dygert powered her team around the Berlin velodrome.
The American time of 4:11.2 and Britain's 4:11.8 were the second and third fastest times ever ridden.
Reuters
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