American Chloe Dygert took a full two seconds off the world record in the women’s individual pursuit during qualifying at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Apeldoorn.

The 21-year-old American completed the 3000 metre distance in a blistering three minutes 20.072 seconds, smashing the mark of 3mins 22.269secs set by fellow American Sarah Hammer at the Pan American Championships in Mexico in 2010.

Dygert has emerged as a dominant force in the discipline, and anchored the United States to gold in the team pursuit on Thursday ahead of Britain, defending the title she also helped them win a year ago in Hong Kong.

Apeldoorn has long been considered a ‘slow track’ but if that is the case, it did nothing to affect Dygert, who stood head and shoulders above the rest of the field.

Dutchwoman Annemiek van Vleuten, the road time trial world champion, set the second fastest time, but was a full nine seconds off Dygert’s pace with a 3:29.319.

All eyes had been on Dygert’s race but, riding in the same heat, Britain’s Ellie Dickinson was able to pick up some of the draft and set the seventh fastest time with a 3:34.507.

Emily Nelson was ninth with a time of 3:35.519 – a personal best – though neither British rider advanced with only the top four going through.

Earlier, Britain had announced that Nelson would ride in the Madison alongside Katie Archibald, replacing Elinor Barker who suffered a heavy crash during the women’s omnium on Friday.

Jack Carlin will have a chance to win another medal for Britain later on Saturday after advancing to the semi-finals of the men’s individual sprint.

The 20-year-old Scot, part of the team sprint squad that took silver on Wednesday, won his quarter-final heat against New Zealand’s Edward Dawkins 2-0 to reach the last four.

However team-mate Ryan Owens saw his challenge come to an end as he lost 2-0 to Germany’s Maximilian Levy in the quarter-finals.

The 22-year-old Owens, also part of the team sprint squad, had been a late replacement for the injured Phil Hindes in the event.

Katy Marchant is through to the final of the women’s 500 metre time trial after setting the seventh fastest time – 33.893 seconds – in qualifying.

In the men’s omnium, Ollie Wood was 12th in the opening scratch race 10th in the tempo race.

Meanwhile, the UCI issued an update on the condition of the commissaire who was struck by a rider in a frightening incident during the women’s omnium scratch race on Friday.

“The UCI Commissaire injured in yesterday’s crash is in a stable condition and shows signs of a little improvement,” a statement said. “He will remain in hospital under observation for further treatment and reassessment.”