Sprint team secure first cycling gold

Pa
Friday 15 August 2008 12:16 BST
Comments

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.

Great Britain's cyclists made the perfect start to five days of track racing when Chris Hoy, Jamie Staff and Jason Kenny won gold in the team sprint.

The British trio saw off France, to whom Staff and Hoy had lost in the final at March's World Championships.

Great Britain hit the finishing line in a time of 43.128 seconds, more than half a second faster than the French (43.651).

Germany took the bronze medal bronze with a time of 44.014, relegating Australia (44.022) to fourth place.

Staff led off the trio and said: "It hasn't sunk in yet, it's weird, but mostly exciting.

"We were very disappointed after Athens (finishing fifth). I've given absolutely everything I could into it and it paid off.

"We've got a fantastically strong team, we showed everyone at the worlds how strong we are."

Hoy, who also has his sights set on gold in the keirin, added: "To win as part of a team is a totally different feeling (from the 1km time trial in Athens) Our friendship has been so dominant in the last few years.

"As part of a team, you can't let anyone down.

"To beat them by half a second made it that exciting. Honestly, it took every inch of effort in beating the French who have been invincible.

"The French have been so dominant. We have really put all the pieces of the jigsaw together. We really focused on the details.

"To stick half a second into them, it's amazing."

Hoy insists he still he is hungry for more glory at the Games and has his sights set firmly on a trio of golds.

He said: "There's still plenty in the tank.

"At the end of the week, if I get three (keirin and men's sprint), I'll do a dance for you and that's a promise."

The Scot reserved special praise for 20-year-old Kenny, adding: "He's young and talented and not fazed by the pressure at all, he's perfect for the team."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in