The men's and women's team pursuiters will not defend their world crowns, while the injury-hit reigning title-holders in the women's team sprint took silver.

But there was surprising good news in the men's team sprint, with Australia winning bronze.

It is their first medal in the event at the world titles or Olympics for eight years and was done without injured star Matthew Glaetzer.

Australia are focused on medals in track cycling at the Tokyo Olympics and there has been speculation about whether they will ride in the men's team sprint at the Games.

But the Australian title defences in the men's and women's team pursuit were cut short after they slipped from gold medal contention on day one of competition at the Berlin velodrome.

The women's team sprint pair of Stephanie Morton and Kaarle McCulloch, beaten by Germany in the gold medal race, endured a torrid lead-in because of injuries.

The pair raced internationally just once in the past 12 months after Morton had knee surgery and McCulloch was troubled by a back issue.

"I think we are the happiest silver medallists you have ever met," Morton said.

"We had to go through some pretty dark clouds to even look at the rainbows here, so to come away with the silver I think I am even more stoked than last year.

"To be just a smidgen off our best, we are more than happy about that."

In the men's team sprint, the Netherlands claimed the title by defeating Great Britain for the gold medal - the Dutchmen set two world records on the opening day of competition.

Australia's sprint team of world title debutant Tom Cornish, Nathan Hart and Matt Richardson defeated France to take the bronze medal, overcoming the withdrawal of ace Matt Glaetzer because of a leg injury on the eve of the championships.

"It was unfortunate with Matt but we had Tom Cornish here and he delivered exceptionally," Hart said.

In the men's team pursuit, Australia's world record was broken by a rampant Denmark team which lowered the benchmark by a whopping 1.4 seconds.

The Danes went even quicker later, clocking a world-best three minutes 46.203 seconds to set up a gold medal ride-off against New Zealand on Thursday.

Australia, without injured Kelland O'Brien could only manage only fifth fastest and, will race against Italy for the bronze medal.

In the women's team pursuit, reigning world champions Ashlee Ankudinoff, Georgia Baker, Annette Edmondson and 20-year-old debutant Maeve Plouffe were fifth-fastest.

The Australian women will next meet Ireland, with the winner to contest for the bronze medal against either Germany or Italy.

Australian Associated Press