Sarah Hammer leads American women to team pursuit gold

The victorious American team

Sarah Hammer led the U.S. to their first ever gold medal in the women's team pursuit as they convincingly beat Canada at the world track championships on Friday.

The relentless American quartet, also including Kelly Catlin, Chloe Dygert and Jennifer Valente, never trailed in an impressive display at the London velodrome. Scratch race champion Laura Trott helped Olympic champions Britain clinch the bronze medal with victory over New Zealand.

Earlier, world record holder Anastasiia Voinova of Russia retained her 500m time trial title with a blistering ride. Voinova, the last of the 16 riders to take to the boards for the two-lap event, clocked 32.959 to add the TT gold to the women's team sprint title she claimed on Wednesday.

Hong Kong's Lee Wai Sze, world champion in 2013, was second quickest with Elis Ligtlee from the Netherlands finishing with the bronze medal.

The men's individual pursuit and men's points race would also be decided on Friday. Britain's Rio Olympics hopeful Mark Cavendish, taking time out from his road schedule to try and qualify for the Games track team, also begins his challenge in the omnium which concludes on Saturday.