Awesome GB sprint team take gold

Great Britain's men's team sprint trio defeated France to win GB's third gold of the Games in the first track cycling final in Beijing.

Jamie Staff, Jason Kenny and Chris Hoy had three superb rides, with a winning time of 43.128 seconds in the final.

They had finished second to France at the World Championships earlier this year but always looked in control to win the Olympic final by 0.523secs.

Germany defeated Australia by 0.008secs to take the bronze medal.

The team sprint medal is GB's eighth of the Games and never looked in doubt as the sprint trio dominated the competition.

They opened with a ride of 42.950secs, the fastest time of the competition, with Staff riding the opening leg in 17.19secs.

"We had no idea what we could do really," said Kenny. "When I saw the time for the first ride on the board I thought I must have read it wrong."

GB then secured their place in the final with a time of 43.034.

The gold is the second of Hoy's Olympic career after he won the 1km time trial four years ago.

"To win as part of a team is a totally different feeling from the 1km time trial in Athens," said Hoy.

"Our friendship has been so dominant in the last few years. As part of a team, you can't let anyone down.

"To beat them by half a second made it that exciting. Honestly, it took every inch of effort in beating the French who have been invincible.