Hoy gold lifts Brits top of medal table
BRITAIN’S Sir Chris Hoy underlined his status as a leading London 2012 medal hope by claiming individual sprint gold at the Track Cycling World Cup at the Olympic Velodrome yesterday.
Hoy’s second gold of the weekend ensured a happy ending to the four-day competition, which doubled as a test event for this summer’s Games, and helped Britain finish top of the medal table.
The Scot lost just once in four knockout duels, ultimately defeating Germany’s Maximilian Levy 2-0 in the final to add to the gold Hoy pocketed in Saturday’s keirin event.
“I’m really pleased,” said the 35-year-old reigning Olympic champion. “More than the actual result, with the way I rode. I’ve been making mistakes in the sprint recently but I only made one today. I see this as an important step for the Olympics.”
Hoy’s rival for the sole individual sprint slot at the Games, newly-crowned world champion Jason Kenny, fell at the quarter-final stage to Levy. Britain’s men – Ed Clancy, Geraint Thomas, Steven Burke and Peter Kennaugh – took team pursuit silver behind Australia, while London teenager Laura Trott took omnium bronze to add to her gold in Friday’s women’s team pursuit.