Hoy sure Melbourne will boost GB hopes

SIR CHRIS Hoy believes Australia will bring out the best in the Great Britain team as the Track Cycling World Championships get under way in Melbourne today.

Hoy and the men’s team sprint trio only managed bronze in the London leg of the world championship series two months ago, as world champions Germany took the top honours ahead of France. The Scot, though, has insisted the event in London was all part of a learning curve ahead of this summer’s Olympics, and he is positive of a different outcome Down Under,

“We gained a lot in terms of momentum, London was a real test to see where we were,” Hoy said. “A few riders were not unsure, but there was nowhere to hide and no excuses on the Olympic track. To perform well was really important.

“Australia feels like a second home to us when we spend so much of the year training out here. The good vibe you get definitely helps. I love this city, it’s a great place, it’s not like going to a hostile environment where the conditions are difficult.” Olympic champions Hoy and Jason Kenny have been named in the sprint line-up alongside unknown quantity Philip Hindes.

The 19-year-old was born in Germany to a British father and is a specialist starter – filling a position Britain have struggled with since the retirement of Beijing gold medal winner Jamie Staff. Matt Crampton is a reserve.

Hoy welcomed the introduction of Hindes, adding: “He’s improving at a rapid rate and if he performs well he could be in the running for the Olympics.”

Britain have failed to fire in the event since Beijing and last claimed the world title in 2005. However, if Hindes performs well, rivals Germany, France and Australia will be worried and Hoy could claim an 11th world title in his distinguished career.

Geraint Thomas is optimistic Britain’s team pursuit squad also have plenty of margin for improvement ahead of the Olympics.

Qualifying in the four-man, four-kilometre event opens the Melbourne event today, where Thomas and his team-mates will be able to measure their progress against hosts Australia. Australia took pole position in February’s Track World Cup in London, but despite that result Thomas believes Britain are building towards a successful defence of their Olympic title in August.

“It wasn’t a shock,” Thomas said. “It’s time to worry a bit when you don’t know why you’re not firing on all cylinders. We know why and it’s always been part of the plan. 2 and 3 August is when we want to be firing on all cylinders and at our best.

“We still wanted to win in London and do our best. It wasn’t enough to win, but we took a lot from it and I think we’re moving in the right direction pretty rapidly, which is good.”

The team pursuit is the first final of the evening, with Victoria Pendleton and Jess Varnish hoping to feature in the second.

The British duo clocked a world record of 32.754secs in the two-woman, two-lap team sprint in London, stunning defending world champions Anna Meares and Kaarle McCulloch of Australia. Varnish has devoted herself to the starting lap position and a world title would prove her progress.