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Olympics: Australia to challenge Britain for pursuit gold

Australia will meet world record holders and defending champions Britain in the gold medal match of the men's team pursuit at the Olympic velodrome later Friday. Ed Clancy, Steven Burke, Peter Kennaugh and Geraint Thomas had combined to clock a world record of 3min 52.499sec for the 16-lap, 4km event on Thursday. And the hosts underlined their gold credentials again by again dipping under the 3:53 mark in 3:52.743 to top the times in the first round. The two fastest teams from round one fight for the gold, while the next two fastest battle for the bronze. Australia clocked a respectable 3:54.317 while New Zealand (3:56.44) will meet Russia (3:57.237) for the bronze. Denmark just missed out on a chance for a medal after stopping the clock at 3:57.396. jd/th