Australia have successfully defended their men's team pursuit title at the world track championships, storming to victory over New Zealand in a seesaw battle at the Hong Kong Velodrome.
Australia, who were favourites after coming within a whisker of breaking the world record in qualifying on Wednesday, fell behind midway through the race but recovered impressively to surge to victory with a 2.476 second gap over their rivals.
On top: Australia recovered impressively to surge to victory.Credit: Getty Images
The win for Sam Welsford, Alexander Porter, Cameron Meyer and Nicholas Yallouris is Australia's seventh world title in the past 11 editions of the event, while Italy took bronze over a new-look Britain side.
The win gave Cameron Meyer - already among Australia's most decorated track cyclists - his seventh world crown and second in the team pursuit.
"It's been a long time between drinks I guess you could say," he said.
"The feeling is still the same, it's unbelievable to win a world title and I couldn't have started the championships any better and I'm ecstatic for the rest of the guys."
Matthew Glaetzer was strong in the early rounds but just missed the keirin podium as Azizulhasni Awang won Malaysia's first world title with a comprehensive victory.
The day ended on a high note, with the US women's pursuit team defending their title in a thriller against Australia that had the crowd on its feet.
The US charged to an early lead, but the Australians - Ashlee Ankudinoff, Amy Cure, Alex Manly, Rebecca Wiasak - recovered by the 2500 metre mark and the teams raced to the finish with neither able to stay in front.
Australia were ahead by 0.412 seconds going into the final lap, but an inspired effort from Chloe Dygert pulled the Americans over the line with a 0.417 second margin of victory, while New Zealand took bronze over Italy.
"I'm over the moon, it is a pretty special moment to win silver," Ankudinoff said. "I was confident we could produce something special here, but we were just beaten by a better team on the day."
Friday's action will feature four finals including Meyer in the points race. Stephanie Morton will feature in the semi-finals of the women's sprint after topping qualifying with a personal-best time.
Reuters