Britain's Chris Hoy clinches historic third gold

Britain's Chris Hoy clinched a superb hat-trick of gold medals after beating team-mate Jason Kenny in the sprint.

The 32-year-old becomes the first Briton in 100 years to win three golds at the same Games, after his earlier success in the team sprint and keirin.

The Scot was pushed to the limit in the first race by his 20-year-old opponent, edging the first duel in the best-of-three by half a wheel's length.

Hoy dominated the second race, giving a victory salute as he crossed the line.

"I cannot tell you how it feels - it is amazing," Hoy told BBC Sport.

"When you cross the line, all the pressure that has built up, the expectation and the self doubt evaporates just like that. Kenny has come through the ranks and he is the man who will win in London 2012

Hoy becomes only the second Briton to win three golds at the same Games after swimmer Henry Taylor did likewise in London in 1908.

And he added: "I was vaguely aware of the history, people tell you about it. But I tried to make it the furthest thought from my mind.

"And that's why the emotions come out at the end. You bottle it for so long that it just erupts at the end."

Hoy has now won gold in four separate Olympic events - he won the now-defunct 1km time trial at Athens in 2004.

Kenny's silver adds to his impressive showing in his first Olympics, where he also picked up gold in the team sprint - alongside Hoy and Jamie Staff.
Hoy was quick to pay tribute to Kenny, and tipped him to become the dominant force in cycling in the next few years.

"Kenny has come through the ranks and he is the man who will win at London 2012," said Hoy.

"Beating him was really tough - it was probably the hardest race of my life."

The bronze medal went to Mickael Bourgain of France after he dominated Germany's Maximilian Levy in a third-leg decider.

Courtesy BBC NEWS