Australia’s pursuit cyclists Oliver Bleddyn, Sam Welsford, Kelland O’Brien and Conor Leahy put world on notice at Paris Olympics

Three years after Alex Porter’s snapped handlebar ended their chance of a gold medal, two riders from that four-man cycling squad have returned to the Olympics to avenge the heartbreak.

Australia’s pursuit cyclists have set a thundering pace in Paris to put the world on notice. Picture: AFP

Carrying the ghosts of Tokyo and the memory of their fallen mate, Australia’s pursuit cyclists have set a thundering pace in Paris to put the world on notice.

Three years after Alex Porter’s snapped handlebar ended their chance of a gold medal, two riders from that four-man track cycling squad have returned to the Olympic Games to avenge the heartbreak.

Australia blew the competition away in the opening men’s team pursuit qualifier, defeating reigning Olympic champions Italy, Great Britain and Denmark to go fastest.

The cycling team of Oliver Bleddyn, Sam Welsford, Kelland O’Brien and Conor Leahy will launch their medal charge at 1.30am (AEST) on Wednesday.

Australia's Leigh Hoffman, Matthew Richardson and Matthew Glaetzer compete in the team sprint qualifying round. Picture: AFP

Riding their much-hyped $100,000 Factor bikes in the qualifying round, the foursome sent a statement to the world over 4km at the National Velodrome in Paris by stopping the clock in 3:42.958.

For O’Brien and Welsford — the last remaining riders from the disastrous Tokyo campaign — the Paris Olympic Games is their chance to have a committed crack at a gold medal.

“We had a bit of a disappointing disaster in Tokyo with our crash so for us it was a lot of redemption coming here,” Welsford said.

“A big focus for us is to nail all the little things, so then when we come here it’s an easier process and we’re really dialled in.”

Australia sent a statement to the world over 4km at the National Velodrome in Paris. Picture: Getty Images

The embarrassment and woeful Tokyo performance across the entire cycling squad led to a major overhaul of AusCycling’s elite program.

Underneath Australia’s riders these Games will also be the hi-tech Factor bike - dubbed the world’s fastest.

“They’re a lot faster than anything we’ve ridden before so that’s a really good bonus to have here,” Welsford said.

Porter, who retired after the Tokyo Games, spoke to O’Brien before the Paris qualifier to motivate the squad.

“We’re just so proud to wear the Australian colours here,” O’Brien said.

The strong result on night one of the track cycling campaign has boosted morale in the Australian camp, but they say a “big fight” remains as their competitors come back stronger.

Australia's Alexander Porter falls during the men's team pursuit qualifying cycling track event during the Tokyo Games. Photo: Valery Sharifulin\TASS via Getty Images

Thankfully, the Aussies also have more in the tank.

“We don’t really know where our limits are yet and that’s what we’re here to find out over the next couple of days,” O’Brien said.

“We can definitely dial in a little bit more and use our strengths to our advantage even more, we’re learning at this stage.”

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Welsford acknowledged the squad had delivered one of its best rides in the qualifier but said more things needed to be ironed out.

Paris organisers have delivered a quick, but stifling-hot velodrome.

The Olympic record and then world record fell four times during the women’s team pursuit competition.

New Zealand’s women were second out in team sprint qualifying and set a new Olympic record of 45.593.

It stood for about 12 minutes before Great Britain’s women obliterated it with a new world record.

New Zealand returned serve in the first round before it was again beaten in the next heat by Great Britain’s riders - who went on to win gold.