EMMA POOLEY secured Britain’s second cycling medal of the Beijing Games with silver in the women’s time trial.

The 25-year-old from London completed the 23.8km course in a time of 35 minutes 16.01 seconds to finish second behind the United States’ Kristin Armstrong, who completed the course in 34:51.72.

Switzerland’s Karin Thurig took bronze.

Pooley, asked if she had a race plan, replied: “No, you just have to ride like you never have to breathe again.”

Pooley played a crucial role in helping teammate Nicole Cooke claim gold in the women’s road race on Sunday when she took on the pace in an attempt to spread out the peloton and now she enjoyed success of her own.

Cooke failed to reproduce the magic of Sunday herself as she struggled on the course between the Badaling and Juyongguan sections of the Great Wall of China.

The 25-year-old Welshwoman finished in 15th place in a time of 37:14.25.

Pooley, who only turned professional two years ago, said: “It helps being positive-nervous, because you’ve been waiting four years for this.

“I was enjoying going fast. It was pretty fun, I just kept saying, ‘faster faster.’

“I raced as well as I could. I cannot affect what others do.

“There’s no secret, you just have to make it hurt. Imagine a friend sitting on your wheel, shouting at you.”

Gold medalist Armstrong said: “It’s the ride of my life. It’s what I’ve dreamed about since I was a little kid.

“I had to stay focused on the descent and really push.

“It feels awesome. To time everything right on one day is an accomplishment on its own.”

Tina Cook capped a fine night for Great Britain’s eventing team after capturing individual bronze after the showjumping phase of the three-day event in Hong Kong.

Germany’s Hinrich Romeike won gold on Marius while Gina Miles of the United States claimed silver on McKinlaigh.

Earlier, Britain’s eventing team had also won bronze.