Britain's Emma Pooley and Sharon Laws helped their pro cycling team AA Drink-Leontien.nl win bronze in the team time trial at the road race World Championships in the Netherlands.

It was the last race for the Norwich cyclist's team, who are having to disband for financial reasons.

The 2008 Olympic silver medallist and former world time trial champion, who is contemplating retiring, said: 'I think we wanted to show something as a team that we can do a really good result.

'It's a bit sad the team is coming to an end.

'This is the kind of thing sponsors get into team sponsoring for and it's brilliant to be on a World Championships podium, which doesn't usually happen.

'I think we made a point, which is good.'

In the 34km event, Specialized, led by 2008 world time-trial champion Amber Neben of the United States, took the honours in 46:31.

Orica, which included Germany's Judith Arndt and Linda Villumsen of New Zealand, the top two finishers in the 2011 individual time-trial, were 24 seconds adrift.

In the men's event Team Sky, featuring Olympic gold medallist Geraint Thomas, finished ninth of the 32 teams.

Omega Pharma Quickstep, which included world time trial champion Tony Martin, took the title.

They finished the 54km course in one hour, four minutes and 49 seconds with BMC eight seconds behind in second, while Orica-Greenedge were third.

The riders will now represent their countries for the remainder of the championships, which run until 23 September. Britain has sent a 16-strong team.

The junior and under-23 men's time-trials take place today with the junior women and elite women's races tomorrow, the latter featuring 2010 world champion Pooley and Wendy Houvenaghel for Britain.

Wednesday's 45.7km elite men's time-trial features defending champion Martin of Germany, with Dowsett and Chris Froome representing Britain.

Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins, runner-up to Martin in 2011, is scheduled to line-up in the elite men's road race, which takes place next Sunday.