Victoria Pendleton took bronze and Great Britain secured at least two silver medals on day one of track cycling’s World Championships.

Lithuania’s Simona Krupeckaite set a new 500m time trial world record of 33.296 seconds to push Pendleton third.

But the British rider told BBC Sport: “I was thinking at best I might podium so I’m absolutely delighted.”

Wendy Houvenaghel was fastest in individual pursuit qualifying and the men’s sprint team were second-fastest.

Matthew Crampton stood in for the injured Sir Chris Hoy to join Jamie Staff and Jason Kenny, seeking to win Britain’s first world title in the event since 2005 and avenge the loss to France in the final 12 months ago.

Pendleton, 28, was surprised with her time of 34.102 sec in taking her first ever world medal in the event.

She will compete in four events in all at these championships, adding the time trial and keirin to the events she won last year – the individual sprint and the team sprint, with Shanaze Reade.

The previous world record-holder, Anna Meares of Australia, took the silver medal while defending champ Lisandra Guerra of Cuba was fourth.