Cycling: Hoy proves he’s still sprint master as he holds off Kenny in Holland

Sir CHRIS HOY completed a successful return to competition when he clinched overall victory in the Giant Sprint Masters competition at the Rotterdam Six Day Meeting in the Netherlands last night. Hoy started the final session with a three-point advantage over Jason Kenny, but the Englishman cut the deficit when he combined with Teun Mulder to beat Hoy and Gregory Bauge in the team sprint.

The 36-year-old Scot’s lead dwindled to a single point when he finished third in the Keirin behind Mulder and Kenny. But Hoy bounced back to clock 10.547 seconds in the 200 metres time trial – slower than his own track record but good enough to push his rival into second spot.

That result secured the Capital star’s place in the sprint final and ensured he could not be caught in the overall standings although Kenny had the last word when he won the final event of the programme. Meanwhile, City of Edinburgh rider Charline Joiner produced another solid effort in the finale of the women’s competition, taking several big-name scalps as she secured seventh place overall in a 17-strong field.