TRACK cycling sensation Dani King goes for gold today – with the backing of Hampshire behind her.

The 21-year-old, who yesterday smashed the women’s 3km team pursuit world record in qualification, will be powering around the Olympic velodrome in the hunt for a gold medal this afternoon.

Dani, whose first step towards the Olympics came when she skipped a maths lesson aged 14 to try out for a British Cycling talent event at Hamble Community Sports College, will have the eyes of both county and country on her when she returns to the track brimming with confidence.

The lightning-fast Team GB trio of Dani, Joanna Rowsell and Laura Trott, who clocked three minutes 15.669 seconds yesterday, are favourites for the 12-lap track event, having won the past two world championships.

In the semi-final at 4.11pm they meet Canada who clocked the fourth best time in qualifying. Should all go well, a final will await at 5.42pm against Australia or the US, who qualified almost four seconds slower than the British as the second fastest team.

Carol Geddes from Barton Peveril College in Eastleigh , where Dani studied for her A-levels , led messages of support.

“Dani is always held up as an example to what real determination can achieve,” she said.

“In the past few weeks Olympic fever has gripped everyone. I’m sure the students and all the staff will all be rooting for Dani and hopefully she will bring home the gold.”

Stuart Elliott, managing director of Southampton -based builders merchants Elliotts, which has sponsored Dani since she was 16, issued a good-luck message.

He said: “Brilliant new world record yesterday. Be outstanding in the final. We are backing you all the way and we are incredibly proud of you.”

Hamble councillor and Eastleigh borough deputy mayor Cllr Malcolm Cross said: “I think it’s great. She’s a Hamble girl and it’s fantastic what she’s achieved. We wish her all the best. I will be watching it with keen interest.”

Fi Cunningham, from Calshot Activities Centre, which has the oldest velodrome in the country, added: “It’s fantastic to have someone as local as Dani going for gold in London. Hopefully it will inspire a new generation to take to the track and follow in her footsteps. Good luck to Dani and the rest of the team.”