Cycling: Hoy stays on top of pile
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir Chris Hoy grabbed Britain's second gold medal of the Track World Cup when he won the Keirin here last night. The four-time Olympic champion added to the women's team pursuit victory on Friday, and showed an impressive turn of speed before the defence of his World Championship crown in Apeldoorn, Holland next month.
The Scot, 34, was the only British rider in the event and won the first and second rounds to progress to the final, which required a second start after the motorised Derny bike experienced mechanical problems.
He then powered away on the penultimate lap while a mass pile-up occurred behind him. Those who fell scrambled for their bikes to walk across the line and claim crucial Olympic qualifying points.
"I had no idea what was happening behind me," Hoy said. "I just launched my sprint with about a lap and a half to go, had to go quite wide to get round the guys and put my head down to the line. It was only on my victory lap, when the officials were saying stay up the track, I saw the guys lying on the floor."
He added: "Today I really enjoyed it. Every race was quick. I did a really good performance in the first round. That gave me confidence. Then in the final I had loads of confidence, hit it hard and won it by a clear margin."
Hoy, who had come third in the opening day sprint, will ride in today's team sprint with Jason Kenny and Matt Crampton.
Victoria Pendleton, who came a disappointing eighth in the team sprint alongside Shanaze Reade, won bronze in the women's sprint after winning the third-placed ride-off.
The 30-year-old from Bedfordshire qualified fourth fastest from a competitive field. Australia's Anna Meares claimed a quarter-final win over Jess Varnish while Pendleton defeated Becky James, setting up their duel for a place in the final.
In the first bout, Pendleton led out the final lap, but Meares came through on the inside to take a 1-0 lead. She then took the initiative in the second and powered away from Pendleton to reach the final.
In the race for third place, Pendleton comfortably beat Olga Panarina of Belarus 2-0 to claim Britain's sixth medal of the event.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments