Bradley Wiggins and Rebecca Romero may be the stars of Team GB's pursuiting squad, but Steven Burke and Wendy Houvenaghel have also emerged as medal contenders in the men's and women's individual races.

Burke, who was catapulted into the second allocated place in the men's individual pursuit with only 24 hours' notice, surpassed expectations with the fifth best time in qualifying, which was won at Olympic record speed by Wiggins. “I always knew I was going to beat my best time, but not by so much,” the 20-year-old from Burnley said yesterday after beating his personal best by nine seconds. “I wasn't expecting that because I only found out yesterday morning that I was riding.”

Burke, also one of the group of riders selected for the team pursuit, said: “I've had no training in the individual pursuit at all. This morning I just rode a two-kilometre rehearsal and some team pursuit training as well.”

His unexpected qualification for the second round leaves coach, Shane Sutton, the coach, with another selection headache, as because Burke was also slated to ride in the opening round of the men's team pursuit. “We've got some thinking to do,” the Australian said.

Expert View

Why didn't they ring me up before they decided to hold the Olympic Games in Beijing in August? Don't do it, I'd have said

Simon Barnes

• More

• Post a comment

Olympics updates direct to your mobile

Put the Beijing Games in your pocket

Pinsent's message for his Olympic heirs

Gold medallist is confident the coxless four following in his wake will emerge as Olympic champions on Saturday

• Ben Ainslie’s shot at hat-trick delayed by bad weather

• Time to invest emotions in imperfect Paula Radcliffe

• Peter Cousins missed three drug tests, but made the Games

BACKGROUND

• Emms and Robertson bow out amid sea of tears

• Saunders second to punch in shock defeat

• Adlington takes aim at Evans' record

• Ohuruogu is lucky to be here, says rival

Multimedia

• Simon Barnes in Beijing

• Bring back the tug-of-war

• Top 100 Olympic athletes of all time

Related Links

• Chain gang looking like a well-oiled machine

• Britain trio enjoy ride of their lives

Houvenaghel, who dreamt of competing in the Olympic equestrian events as a child, marginally outshone Romero in qualifying fastest in the women's pursuit. The prospect of both riders who together won the world team pursuit title in Manchester lastin March, progressing through the next round into the race-off for gold and silver looms large. “It should be a good battle,” Romero said.