Four time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy showed he is in top condition for next week's European Track Championships in Poland by securing three victories at the opening event of this year's Revolution series on Saturday night.
Sprinting topped the bill in front of a sell out crowd at the Manchester velodrome and the superb Hoy proved he was back to form with dominant performances throughout the evening
He started the evening by clocking the fastest time in the 200m time trial before securing a place in the individual sprint final by beating Olympic silver medalist Jason Kenny in the semis. In a battle of young against old, Hoy met David Daniell, conqueror of Matt Crampton, and the 20-year-old put up a good fight but Hoy proved too strong and took the win.
However, it was in the keirin event where Hoy truly showed he has lost none of his immense power and on this form he's looking good for London 2012. As the derny peeled off with two and a half laps to go, Kenny established what looked to be an unbridgeable 50m lead but the Scotsman pulled out everything he had to pip the youngster on the line in front of a rapturous crowd. Check out the footage on the Revolution website for a truly astonishing display of closing a gap.
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In his final competitive track appearance, British track legend Chris Newton powered through to an impressive victory in the motor paced scratch race, before taking the reins as the new GB Academy Coach. The 2002 points race world champion was met by a standing ovation before beating Steven Burke and Luke Rowe, two riders who have already benefited from the Great Britain U23 Academy.
In the popular 1km madison time trial, 18-year-old Dan McLay was paired with Team Sky's new addition Alex Dowsett (riding for Chep UK at the Revolution) and the young duo produced an impressive 58.016, but were soundly beaten by Motorpoint-Marshall's Pasta Olympic duo of Steven Burke and Ed Clancy who took the win with 56.316.
Clancy, the reigning world omnium champion then showed his all round cycling pedigree by attacking in the final 200m to take victory ahead of Luke Rowe and Dowsett in the 15km points race.
Despite his imperious form, Hoy was unable to prevent a young England squad take victory against his Scottish team in the closing team sprint event. Hoy, Ross Edgar and Chris Pritchard started strongly, while the trio of Jason Kenny, Matt Crampton and David Daniell were slightly less organized but the English narrowly came out on top after a close race, showing the depth of talent in the Great Britain squad.
Elsewhere, Matt Cross took victory in the DHL Future Stars points race, Matt Rotherham won the six lap dash and Sam Lowe took the honours in the 5km scratch race.
Jess Crampton claimed the girls 5km scratch race, while Emily Kay triumphed in both the points race and six lap dash.
Team Sky lead the team competition after round one of the Revolution series with 10 points, with Maxgear and Le Col in second and third respectively.
Revolution returns to Manchester on Saturday 20 November 2010 with tickets available from www.cyclingrevolution.com
Chris Hoy looking good two weeks out from the European championships in Poland
Andy Tennant leads Alex Dowsett around the Manchester velodrome
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