Team GB settle for silver after losing dramatic men’s team pursuit final against Australia – as cyclists secure their fourth medal of the Paris Olympics

Team GB have had to settle for silver in the men’s team pursuit after a dramatic incident on the final lap saw them lose to favourites Australia at the velodrome this afternoon. 

The result meant that Great Britain have secured their fourth medal in cycling of the Paris Olympics.

The team of Ethan Hayter, Dan Bigham, Charlie Tanfield and Ethan Vernon went into the final against Australia as underdogs after their opponents broke the world record in the earlier stages of the competition yesterday.

Bigham was a late replacement for Ollie Wood after missing out on the first round on Tuesday.

And the Brits started off strongly in the 16-lap contest, matching their rivals’ pace i the opening few laps.

Team GB have had to settle for silver in the men’s team pursuit

A dramatic incident on the final lap saw Ethan Hayter (centre) fall of his saddle

Australia went in as favourites and duly scooped up gold after an exciting race

As the race went on, Team GB remained within two-hundredths of a second of the Australians and looked set to take the contest right down to the wire.

The final was set for a grandstand finish as the bell rang for the final 250-metre lap with GB just 0.168 secs behind their opponents.

But, at the death, disaster struck as Hayter appeared to suffer a broken saddle, leaving him clinging onto the handlebars in great discomfort in order to cross the finish line safely on his bike.

Once the dust had settled, it emerged that the Team GB rider had simply fallen off the seat after leaning too heavily on the front of the bike throughout the race.

As the incident unfolded, Hayter also appeared to touch wheels with a teammate at a speed of around 45mph, making it somewhat of a miracle that the cyclists stayed on.

Hayter later told the BBC: ‘I just gave too much and my whole body got weak and I couldn’t hold myself on the bike. 

 The team of Ethan Hayter, Dan Bigham, Charlie Tanfield and Ethan Vernon went into the final against Australia as underdogs

As the race went on, Team GB remained within two-hundredths of a second of the Australians

Italy meanwhile were worthy winners of the bronze medal after an assured performance against Denmark

‘I don’t know how I stayed on. 

‘I’m proud of the silver medal but it was there for the taking and we just came up short in the end and it was a shame.’

Italy meanwhile were worthy winners of the bronze medal after an assured performance against Denmark.