Chris Hoy relieved after securing World Cup win

Published on Saturday 31 October 2009 10:19

CAPITAL cyclist Chris Hoy admitted his relief after chalking up an impressive win in the Keirin at the UCI World Cup in Manchester.

The 33-year-old eased through the first round before showing his battling qualities in the second round to fight his way from fourth place and clinch a spot in the final. He made no mistake in the decider, dropping in behind the pacer's bike from the gun then powering home by half a bike length from the Greek Christos Volikakis and world champion Max Levy of Germany.

Admitting that his first international outing since crashing last February had tested his powers to the limit, Hoy said, "The line couldn't come soon enough. It's great to back to winning ways."

And, conceding that he had been unsure about his fitness, he added, "There are always questions and sometimes it takes a winning performance to answer those questions."