Wiggins set for gold

Londoner Wiggins is strong favourite to win having performed consistently quicker than everyone else in the competition by some distance.

He advanced to the final after beating Alexander Serov of Russia in a time of four minutes, 16.571 seconds.

He will meet New Zealander Hayden Roulston, who was over two-and-half seconds slower in his first round race.

And Lancastrian Steven Burke, 20, will have a chance for bronze after beating Volodymyr Dyudya of Ukraine in a time of 4:21.588.

Burke's performance is a welcome surprise for the British team who only decided he would ride 24 hours before Friday's qualifying.

Burke must beat Alexei Markov of Russia, who was almost a second and a half slower than the Englishman in his round.