STEVEN Burke has helped Great Britain secure a gold medal ride in the men's team pursuit final at the Track Cycling World Championships tonight - but the Colne ace will not be part of the four man squad to face old foes Australia.
Burke teamed up with Sir Bradley Wiggins, Owain Doull and Jon Dibben on Wednesday to help Britain qualify fastest for Thursday's first round.
This afternoon Andy Tennant was drafted in for Dibben and had the crucial starting role and responsibility to bring Britain up to speed, and they secured a shot at the gold medal after finishing in a time of three minutes 54.267 seconds
Britain swiftly had heat rivals Italy in their sights before Burke again peeled off. The time was taken on the third rider and Britain advanced to face Australia, who finished in 3mins 54.029secs in their heat.
But Burke, part of the squad who won Olympic gold at the same Lee Valley velodrome in 2012, will make way for tonight's showdown, with two-time Olympic champion Ed Clancy, who is recovering from a back injury, coming into the line-up in his place.
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