Back to school for world champion Barker

Elinor Barker returns to her Cardiff school next week with a Track Cycling World Championships gold medal and rainbow jersey.

The 18-year-old Llanishen School A Level student joined Olympic champions Laura Trott and Dani King to win gold in the women's team pursuit on day two at the Minsk Arena.

She seamlessly replaced Joanna Rowsell for what appeared to be a simple win - Britain's fifth in six years in the event - in three minutes 18.140 seconds, with Australia's Annette Edmondson, Ashlee Ankudinoff and Melissa Hoskins 1.773secs adrift in second. Barker has had just two days at school this year due to cycling and the weather.

The last time she returned victorious there was a celebration in the common room, with U2's Beautiful Day blasting out of the stereo and confetti thrown.

"I just went bright red and it was nice, but it was horrible at the same time," said Barker, who has been continuing her Biology and PE studies while in Belarus.

Barker won the junior world time-trial title at the Road World Championships last September and was thrilled with adding a senior track crown.

"It's a big shock. It hasn't really sunk in yet," she said. "The junior time-trial was expected. I had been working towards it for a whole year. I've done a lot of team pursuit work, but always with a view to being the best that I can be, rather than being the best in the world."

While many athletes have spoken of a London 2012 hangover, Trott, double Olympic champion and defending her world omnium title this weekend, dismissed the suggestion. "No way," said Trott, who will not be 21 until April. "Who wouldn't want to win another stripy jumper?"

Three-time Olympic champion Jason Kenny, Trott's boyfriend, missed out on adding a world title in the men's team sprint, as he combined with Philip Hindes and Kian Emadi to finish sixth. Kenny will hope for better in the men's Keirin, with Matt Crampton also riding.

Becky James goes in the women's sprint after winning her second medal in two days, another bronze, this time in the women's 500m time-trial. Vicky Williamson, who won team sprint bronze with James on day one, will also ride in the sprint. Jon Dibben will ride in the men's omnium, King in the women's scratch and Simon Yates in the men's points race.