Houvenaghel in world record mark

Houvenaghel with team-mates Joanna Rowsell, and Lizzie Armistead

Wendy Houvenaghel helped Great Britain set a new world record as they clinched victory in the team pursuit at the World Cup meeting in Manchester.

The Ulsterwoman, Lizzie Armitstead and Joanna Rowsell clocked three minutes 21.875 seconds to cut .54secs off Britain's previous mark.

Houvenaghel's individual event looks likely to be axed from London 2012.

Therefore, the team pursuit is set to become the county Londonderry woman's main focus for the next Olympics.

The British trio clocked 3:23.436 in qualifying which was four seconds quicker than Germany.

It was less than a second down on their winning time in March and 1.021secs adrift of the world record set by Houvenaghel, Rowsell and Rebecca Romero in taking World Championship gold in Manchester in 2008.

But the trio went quicker still in the final as they caught Germany as they crossed the finish line.

The team pursuit is probably going to be included in the London events and that will be my route to Olympic gold Wendy Houvenaghel

World and Olympic silver medallist Houvenaghel took the individual gold in Manchester on Saturday evening.

The 34-year-old Ulster rider was in superb form, qualifying fastest and catching Australia's Josephine Tomic with a lap to go in the final for the win.

"This was just a chance for me to have a run out before the team pursuit on Sunday, which is my main event," she said.

"My form's good and I'll bring that through to the pursuit."

But Houvenaghel said she would not be considering a switch to the road time-trial where Romero is likely to compete.

"I feel that my strengths lie on the track," she added.

"The team pursuit is probably going to be included in the London events and that will be my route to Olympic gold."

Houvenaghel took second in China behind fellow-Britain Romero.