Houvenaghel qualifies second fastest in pursuit

Wendy Houvenaghel, Track World Championships 2010, ind pursuit

Great Britain's Wendy Houvenaghel posted the second fastest individual pursuit qualifying time at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark, this afternoon.

Houvenaghel's time of 3-30.377 means that she will now face fastest qualifier Sarah Hammer (USA) in the ride for the coveted rainbow jersey this evening.

Hammer posted an impressive qualifying time of 3-27.826, a new personal best - the only rider to go under the magic 3-30 mark.

Hammer won the individual pursuit world title in 2006 and 2007.

At last year's championships Houvenaghel qualified fastest but lost out on the gold medal to New Zealand's Alison Shanks - who qualified third fastest in Copenhagen today.

Follow Wednesday's action as it happens via our LIVE text coverage>>

Women's individual pursuit: 10 fastest qualifying times
1. Sarah Hammer (USA) 3-27.826
2. Wendy Houvenaghel (GB) 3-30.377
3. Alison Shanks (NZl) 3-31.259
4. Vilija Sereikaite (Ltu) 3-31.905
5. Ellen Van Dijk (Ned) 3-33.704
6. Lesya Kalitovska (Ukr) 3-36.159
7. Jaime Nielsen (NZl) 3-37.212
8. Vera Koedooder (Ned) 3-37.466
9. Tara Whitten (Can) 3-38.315
10. Fan Jiang (Chn) 3-38.519

Wendy Houvenaghel cools down as she warms up

A massive effort starts off Wendy Houvenaghel's qualifying ride

Team GB's Paul Manning keeps an eye on the time for Wendy Houvenaghel

Sarah Hammer during her blisteringly fast qualifying ride

The Ballerup Arena

Related links
UCI Track Cycling World Championships 2010: Coverage index
Sir Chris Hoy has 10th world title in his sights
Who's riding which event for Great Britain at the Copenhagen Worlds
The Big Interview: Jason Queally
Queally's comeback signals new phase in team pursuiting
Queally named in GB's track worlds squad
Queally in the frame for Worlds team pursuit call-up
Omnium at this year's Worlds will not be new Olympic format