Victoria Pendleton beat Russia's Tamilia Abassova in two straight rides to win the women's matched sprint and give Britain two of four titles awarded at the Track Cycling World Championships in Carson, California, on Saturday.

　　Pendleton, who nearly left cycling after a disappointing effort in the 2004 Olympics, gave Britain its third gold and fifth medal of the four-day competition at the ADT Event Center.

　　She had winning runs of 12.184 and 12.284 seconds.

　　Australia's Anna Meares beat older sister Kerrie in the last of three races for third place.

　　Britain's Steven Cummings, Robert Hayes, Paul Manning and Christopher Newton won the men's team pursuit, finishing in 4:05.619, an average speed of 56.62 kilometers per hour. The Netherlands was second in 4:09.971.

　　In the women's pursuit final, Katie Mactier of Australia defeated compatriot Katherine Bates. Mactier led throughout and was timed in 3:38.720, an average speed of 49.371 kph. Karin Thurig of Switzerland was third, edging Elena Tchalykh of Russia.

　　Alex Rasmussen of Denmark beat defending champion Greg Henderson of New Zealand in the men's 15-kilometer scratch race, the opening final of the session. Matthew Gilmore of Belgium was third in the 60-lap race.

　　James Carney of the United States tried a solo attack with 10 laps remaining and built more than a half-lap lead. But the field absorbed the leader with three laps left and Carney coasted to last place in the field of 18.

　　The upset of the night occurred when Australia's Jobie Dajka topped reigning world titlist Theo Bos of the Netherlands in the men's sprint quarterfinals. Bos has earned gold and silver medals in the first two days of the championships.

　　The event concludes with finals in the women's 10-km scratch race and keirin and the men's matched sprint and 50-km madison.

　　(The Associated Press)