More world team sprint disappointment for Kenny after finishing sluggish eighth

Kenny won the three-man, three-lap event at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and four years later in London, but success has eluded Britain at the annual Track World Championships since Los Angeles in 2005.

The problem on day one in Saint-Quentin-En-Yvelines, near Paris, was that Philip Hindes and Kenny made accommodations for third rider Callum Skinner, selected ahead of Kian Emadi. But the Scot, riding in his first World Championships, could not keep up with the pair and they placed eighth.

“Basically me and Phil set off without Callum on our wheel. That was it,” said Kenny said.

“Even Chris (Hoy) got it wrong once or twice. It happens to the best of us.”

Jess Varnish and Victoria Williamson were eighth in the corresponding women’s event, which takes place over two laps.

In the team pursuit, Britain’s men – including Yorkshire’s Ed Clancy – were second in qualifying to advance to the semi-finals.

Seven teams broke the four-minute barrier, with Clancy, Steven Burke, Owain Doull and Andy Tennant clocking 3:57.716, behind New Zealand, who clocked 3:56.421.

Britain will meet Germany (3:58.861) in the semi-finals.