A remarkable opening night like no other with the women’s team sprint trio winning the silver medal, recording a world record, and producing a series of eye-catching displays at the National Velodrome in Saint Quentin en Yvelines.

The trio of Rebecca Petch, Shaane Fulton and Ellesse Andrews are the most improved sprint trio in the world, smashing their way in qualifying, breaking a world record in their second run and then coming within a whisker of winning the gold medal against Great Britain.

It was a breath-taking couple of hours when the trio continued to reset and deliver outstanding world-class performances.

There were so many stories to tell. Ellesse continuing to set her mark as a world-class competitor. Sir Chris Hoy spoke to us last night, and spoke glowingly of Ellesse’s abilities on and off the bike when she competed in the Champions League last year.

Shaane Fulton has come back from such series injuries and surgeries that usually end careers in cycling.

And Rebecca was a semifinalist at the Tokyo Olympics in BMX – completing her transition in becoming the fastest first-wheel rider of all teams last night with an 18.3s best.

There was much pride from coach Jon Andrews, who stepped into the role last year, and has used his own experience as an Olympian and Commonwealth Games medallist with such effect.

The standards are so-so high on the track. Last night the men’s team pursuit of Tom Sexton, Keegan Hornblow, Campbell Stewart and Aaron Gate were faster than any other kiwi quartet in qualifying. Yet it was only good enough for sixth fastest.

While the gold medal hopes have gone, the bronze is still there to be won. They take on Belgium who were a couple of seconds slower in qualifying and will provide a target to chase as they look for one of the two fastest times to earn a ride-off for the bronze medal