Thomas sets superb time

Geraint Thomas set the second fastest individual pursuit time in history at the Track World Cup this afternoon.

Thomas clocked four minutes 15.015 seconds in qualifying fastest for the 4km pursuit - the quickest time since Chris Boardman's world record in August 1996.

Boardman's time of 4mins 11.11secs was set on the same track but the 'Superman' position he adopted has since been outlawed.

Four-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy had earlier resumed international action in customary fashion with a powerful display in the opening round of the keirin.

The 33-year-old Team Sky+HD rider, who suffered a hip injury in a crash in Copenhagen in February, reached the second round with victory in the third heat, leading from the front after the derny motorbike left the track.

Jason Kenny (Great Britain) was third - with China's Tang Qi between the Britons in second - and faces a repechage to reach this evening's second round.

Hoy's display was overshadowed by Thomas but unfortunately for the 23-year-old from Cardiff, the pursuit is set to be dropped from the Olympic programme in changes proposed by the international cycling union (the UCI) to gain gender parity.

British Cycling are so certain the changes will be ratified by the International Olympic Committee in December that they have already adjusted their programme accordingly, including this weekend.

But Thomas, who suffered a fractured pelvis in a crash on the road in March, was permitted to ride in the event and produced an astonishing display against the clock.