New Zealand's women's team pursuit team destroyed world champions Australia in front of a home crowd on day one of the Track World Cup.

The quartet of Rushlee Buchanan, Holly Edmondston, Bryony Botha and Kirstie James flew to the gold medal in a time of 4.10.705.

It was a full four seconds faster than the national record, which they had broken in qualifying, and only half a second outside the world record which stands at 4.10.236.

Australia were on the end of another upset in the men's team pursuit as Switzerland beat them in the final to take the gold.

New Zealand clinched the bronze in an entertaining tussle with Russia as the Kiwi crowd were treated to an impressive performance on day one of the track cycling in Cambridge.

In the sprint events, it was more success for the hosts as the trio of Olivia Podmore, Natasha Hansen and Marlena Karwacka beat Poland.

Japan took victory in the men's event, while the Poles picked up another silver.