Wednesday 10 August 2016 4:27 pm

What to watch at the Olympics: Bradley Wiggins and Laura Trott set to star for Team GB with rowing and canoe medals also up for grabs

By: Joe Hall

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Sir Bradley Wiggins is the big name making his bow at the Games on Thursday when the velodrome opens its doors for the men’s team pursuit qualifying round at 9:23pm. The cycling icon won gold in the event eight years ago and is back on the track this year after racing on the road in London.

British gold medal hopes also rest with Laura Trott, Joanna Rowsell, Elinor Barker and Ciara Horne in the women’s team pursuit qualifiers at 8:19pm.

Finally, the 2012 men’s team sprint gold medallists will aim to repeat the feat in the final at 10.20pm. Philip Hindes and Jason Kenny will team up with Callum Skinner who has big shoes to fill in replacing six-time Olympic gold medal winner Sir Chris Hoy.

Read more: These are the most marketable athletes at the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Team GB’s men’s quadruple sculls team will race for a medal 24 hours later than expected at 2.12pm after Wednesday’s rowing events were cancelled due to high winds, while reigning Olympic champions Helen Glover and Heather Stanning will look to progress from the rescheduled women’s pair semi-final at 12.30pm.

The final of the men’s pair at 4.44pm features Olympic debut duo Stuart Innes and Alan Sinclair’s bid to win a medal at the first attempt.

David Florence and Richard Hounslow qualified for the canoe men’s double final with the third best time so will fancy their chances of going one better than the silver they secured in London when their event begins at 4.30pm.

The first ever medals in men’s rugby sevens will be on the line from 10.30pm. With the medal matches six minutes longer than previous rounds at 20 minutes, the final is set for 11pm.

Late night action worth risking a bleary-eyed morning for includes the potential of an all-American showdown between Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte in the men’s 200m medley at 3am on Friday morning.

Nine must-watch events at Rio on Thursday