Hoy sees off youngster’s challenge

Sir Chris Hoy won his second gold medal of the British track cycling championships in Manchester last night, beating Dave Daniell in the sprint final to add to the keirin title he claimed on Friday.

Hoy was the fastest qualifier, his 10.045 for the flying 200 metres almost as fast as he has ever gone on the Manchester track. He progressed easily to the final, unbeaten throughout, before facing young challenger Daniell, a 21-year-old from Middlesbrough.

He had knocked out Jason Kenny, the Olympic silver medallist, in the semi-final and pushed Hoy close in the first heat of the final, with the Scot claiming it by half a wheel.

Hoy’s strength and endurance proved decisive in the second heat, as he sat back and then struck for home as the bell sounded.

“I’m pretty much bang on where I want to be,” said Hoy.

“This weekend’s championships is the first of five events between now and the Olympics,” he continued. “Although they get more important as we get nearer, I want to win them all, to build momentum towards London.”