Hamble cycling queen Dani King begins her quest for Olympic gold today.

The 21-year-old, right, will ride into the velodrome this afternoon for the qualification round of the women’s team pursuit.

The lightning-fast British squad are favourites for the event, having won the last two world championships.

They have also broken the world record twice already this year.

But they will face stiff competition, particularly from the rapid Australian team.

King and Co are expected to breeze through today’s qualifying, before the real action takes place in the semi-finals and final tomorrow afternoon.

Britain will select three cyclists from former Barton Peveril student King, Joanna Rowsell, Laura Trott and Wendy Houvenaghel for each ride.

With the recent dominance of King, Rowsell and Trott, Houvenaghel is expected to be the one left out.

Trott is prioritising team pursuit success over individual glory at London 2012.

The 20-year-old from Cheshunt won team pursuit gold, in a world record time with King and Rowsell, and omnium gold at April’s Track Cycling World Championships in Melbourne.

“I really enjoy the omnium but my main target is to race with the girls and win with the girls,” said Trott, whose first world team pursuit title came aged 18 in 2011.

“It is more enjoyable to race and win with other people than on your own so that is the main focus.

“It is boring to win as an individual, who can you celebrate with when you win on your own? You can’t pat yourself on the back.”