Mum's fitness drive leads Laura to gold

Harlow-born Laura Trott celebrates after winning the Women's Team Pursuit Final at the Velodrome. Credit: David Davies/PA Wire

Britain's newest cycling heroines have won gold in a thunderous atmosphere in the velodrome.

Laura Trott, Dani King and Joanna Rowsell smashed two world records in their run to the women's team pursuit Olympic final, much to the delight of a vocal home crowd.

Laura Trott, 20, who was born in Harlow, Essex and lives in Hertfordshire, was introduced to the sport by her mother who was trying to lose weight.

Laura had been was cheered on in the velodrome by her sister, Emma, also a cyclist, wearing a giant glove carrying the slogan "no surrender". The sisters were introduced to the sport by their mother, Glenda, as she sought to slim down from her size 24 figure.

Little did Mrs Trott know that her fitness drive would result in Olympic success for her daughter.

Their medal win follows a series of cycling golds in the velodrome including in the women's keirin, men's team pursuit and men's team sprint.

After the pursuit team was awarded their medals, the jubilant crowd was led in a rendition of Hey Jude by Sir Paul McCartney.

Trott said: "It's unbelievable. We didn't expect a Beatle to be here. It's not often that you can say they've waved and blown a kiss at a Beatle."

Great Britain's Dani King, Joanna Rowsell and Laura Trott on their way to winning gold in the Women's Team Pursuit Final at the Velodrome Credit: David Davies/PA Wire

The trio completed a remarkable achievement as they set a third record of the day to take gold in the 3km competition. They beat a strong US team in the final with a time of three minutes, 14 seconds. Canada took bronze.

The reigning world champions' triumph continued an outstanding vein of form for British cyclists which has helped Team GB climb the medal table. While they had been tipped for success at the Games, their rise to the top had not always been predictable.