Clancy and Great Britain team pursuit squad take Olympic gold (From St Helens Star)

Ed Clancy and Great Britain team pursuit squad take Olympic gold

7:00pm Friday 3rd August 2012 in Sport

Ed Clancy was part of the Great Britain's men's team pursuit squad that roared to a thrilling Olympic gold in a world record time on the second day of competition at the London 2012 Olympic Velodrome.

Newton-le-Willows-based Clancy, Geraint Thomas, Peter Kennaugh and Steven Burke clocked three minutes 51.659 seconds to triumph by a supreme margin ahead of arch-rivals Australia.

The British quartet, who won Track Cycling World Championships gold in Melbourne in April, now have successfully defended the title won by Clancy, Thomas, Bradley Wiggins and Paul Manning in Beijing.

It means Yorkshire-born Clancy, who has lived Newton-le-Willows for six years, and  Welshman Thomas, who also lived there for a spell before moving to Manchester, are double Olympic gold medallist.

After the team's stunning performance amid an electric atmosphere in the velodrome, the watching Mark Cavendish, who was summarising for the BBC described Clancy as "incredible".

He added: "Ed Clancy is probably the best team pursuiter in the world and probably the most experienced."

Clancy, 27, will aim to add to his medal tally when he competes in the omnium over Saturday and Sunday.