The Olympic velodrome saw its first competitive action on Thursday, when Great Britain’s men’s and women’s team pursuit squads qualified for finals against Australia and Canada respectively. Our reporter, George Scott, was there and took these behind-the-scenes photos.

The Pringle-shaped velodrome is the most sustainable venue in the Olympic Park, with wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council used for the track and the venue’s external cladding.

The view from the press tribunes, where there is room for 120 members of the media.

The 6,000-capacity velodrome has seats in two tiers, with spectators in the front row just inches from the action.

Three dernys – used to pace the riders in training and during the kierin – sit beneath the track ready for use. Decked out in the red, white and blue of Great Britain, the dernys are named Charity, Hope and Faith.

Tickets for the four-day World Cup, which doubles as the Olympic test event, sold out in minutes.

Laura Trott, Wendy Houvenaghel and Joanna Roswell prepare to ride their qualifier, with Trott and Houvenaghel wearing the world champion’s skin suits won at the 2011 World Championships with Dani King.

The mixed zone is the designated area in the centre of the track where riders speak to journalists.

Houvenaghel, Roswell and Trott chew the fat with the BBC after posting the second fastest qualifying time.

The track is made from Siberian pine, while the temperature in the velodrome is set at 28c in order to create super-fast racing conditions.

Geraint Thomas, Ed Clancy, Steven Burke and Peter Kennaugh were roared onto the track by a partisan crowd.

The quartet clocked 3:58.446 minutes for 16 laps of the 250m track…

…but Australia then rode the 4km in 3:57.885 to claim top spot and setup a tantalising Ashes final with Team GB.

Thomas said he was “a bit disappointed with the time” and expects to go faster in Sunday’s final.