Double Olympic champion Laura Trott insists Jo Rowsell is still a key figure in the GB team pursuit, despite sitting out as a new-look trio won World Championship gold earlier this year.

Rowsell, along with Trott and Dani King, lit up the Olympic Velodrome last summer as they set a new world record en route to London 2012 gold and a place in the hearts of the nation.

But in Belarus in February, teenager Elinor Barker replaced Rowsell as GB once again ruled the track, setting another world record in the process and sealing a fifth world title in six years.

Changes to the event for all future competitions now mean the race will take place over 4,000m, rather than 3,000m, while the team will also comprise of four members rather than the traditional three.

Trott is adamant 24-year-old Rowsell, who often trains over Epsom Downs, will come back stronger for her disappointment in Minsk, as GB look to dominate the revised pursuit for years to come.

“I know Jo sat out the worlds but the type of person she is, she is still hungry for more and I know that she will be back as good as ever,” said Trott.

Your Local Guardian: Trott, King, Rowsell

Winning team: Laura Trott, Dani King and Joanna Rowsell at the 2012 UCI World Track Cycling Championship

“We really became a close unit over the years and that won’t change and I couldn’t ask for better team-mates.

“It will take time to get used to the new format I am sure, but I think, with Dani and Jo, we will be able to hit the ground running.

“I think it showed in what we did going unbeaten up to the Games that we are always looking to improve and it is no different after the Games – with the competitive athletes we are.

“We want to keep raising the bar and we are confident we can do it and I am confident with my team.”

Trott has criticised the International Cycling Union’s decision to change the team pursuit event, suggesting many countries will struggle to add a fourth top-class rider to their ranks.

But, with the Olympic trio still in their prime, and with the emergence of Barker, Trott believes the golden girls of London 2012 are set for more glory in the years to come. “Even though the team pursuit is changing and there is an extra rider, I know that we have no intention of letting our standards slip,” she said.

Laura Trott is an ambassador for Prudential RideLondon, an annual two-day festival of cycling held on August 3-4. Visit prudentialride london.co.uk.