USA were crowned women's team pursuit world champions after they beat Olympic gold medallist's Great Britain on day two in Berlin.

The American quartet of Jennifer Valente, Chloe Dygert, Emma White, Lily Williams rushed into a two second lead before the half way stage of the 4000m event and never looked in danger of losing the gold medal.

USA's victory was especially poignant as it comes less than a year after three-time world champion and teammate of the pursuit squad Kelly Caitlin took her own life.

And having crossed the line to take an emotional victory with Caitlin's initials on their bikes, USA's Chloe Dygert told BBC Sport: "It was a special achievement for us in the first worlds since Kelly's passing and this race is dedicated to her.

"We had Kelly in our hearts and that got us to the line first."

Britain had to settle for silver for the third world championships in a row as their team of Katie Archibald, Neah Evans, Elinor Barker, Ellie Dickinson and Laura Kenny - who was watching on as a reserve - now look to close the gap for the Tokyo Games in the summer.

Evans said: "This is a stepping stone on the way to Tokyo, when you are so close you want to take gold, but we have to take the positives."

Barker added: "I think it is going to be really close when we get to Tokyo. The changes over the last few years - aerodynamically, physiologically, going to longer turns - have been interesting."

The World Track Championships continue in Germany for another three days until the concluding races on Sunday.