Yorkshire trio set off in pursuit of more medals in Copenhagen

THREE Yorkshire riders are among the medal favourites at the Track Cycling World Championships which begin in Copenhagen today.

Huddersfield's Olympic gold medallist Ed Clancy bids for a fourth successive world title in the men's team pursuit, with Rotherham's Ben Swift as one of his team-mates.

And Otley's Lizzie Armitstead – who won three medals at last year's championships – is hoping to successfully defend the women's team pursuit title she won in Poland.

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The 21-year-old also medalled in the points and scratch races, disciplines that were recently scrapped due to the governing body's decision to bring more parity between male and female events ahead of the London Olympics.

That leaves Armitstead vying for a second medal in the rather less familiar omnium, which is a combination of five different endurance races.

"I can only see it as a good thing because it means I'll have a better chance of going to the Olympics," said a pragmatic Armitstead.

"I was never going to be a brilliant individual pursuiter. Physically, I may be able to but mentally, I don't have it to be that type of rider.

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"I am gutted, though, about the points race going but that is life.

"In the omnium this week, I'm going to be relying on my racing instincts and hope it comes together on the day.

"It will give me a benchmark for the future but it is difficult because the events here are not even the Olympic distances which will, hopefully, suit me better."

Clancy, 25, believes his team of Swift, Steven Burke and Andy Tennant will benefit from the experience of the fifth member of their team pursuit squad – 40-year-old Sydney gold medallist Jason Queally.

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"Ten years ago when we were kids, he was the guy that started this snowball effect," said Clancy, referring to Queally's Olympic triumph of 2000 and Britain's subsequent standing as the world's leading track cycling nation.

"He was the man, a bit of a hero. It's great to work with the guy. And I'll stick my neck out and say we're favourites this week.

"It's going to be tough, but it's looking pretty good. If everything goes right it could be our year again."

Clancy and Swift, 22, also compete in the omnium with Sir Chris Hoy leading the British challenge in the sprint disciplines.