Hoy blasts back to impossible keirin win

Sir Chris Hoy, keirin, Track World Championships 2012, day five

Chris Hoy pulled off the most unexpected win of his career when he blasted to victory in the keirin today. Hoy winning the keirin isn't surprising at all, but when he came over the line in first place everyone was left thinking 'how did he just do that?'

Coming round the final banking, Hoy had three riders in front of him and nowhere to go. On to the back straight, Hoy put his front wheel in-between the rear wheels of Maximillian Levy and Simon Van Velthooven, who blocked his path. Then incredibly the two parted. Van Velthooven, sensing Kenny on his outside moved out and gave Hoy some daylight.

Seizing his chance in a split second, Hoy surged forwards so quickly he was immediately on to Levy's shoulder. The German who had lead for the last lap and a half slowed up and Hoy burst through to win by a length.

"I don't remember, I coasted across the line, threw the bike and couldn't believe I'd won," Hoy said. "I did it out of necessity because I had run out of options. I would have run round the outside and I would have had a chance of getting htem on the outside but having killed my run and stalled I lost momentum and I couldn't do that."

"I don't often do it [like that] I've always just gone for it Forrest Gump style it's a bit of a change for me."

Disappointed with his result in the sprint yesterday Hoy was the first rider into the velodrome today, warming up on the rollers getting his race face on.

"I was in the right frame of mind today and was determined to make up for the disappointment last night. And just to try and secure the place for the Olympics."

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Simon Richardson
Magazine editor

Editor of Cycling Weekly magazine, Simon has been working at the title since 2001. He fell in love with cycling 1989 when watching the Tour de France on Channel 4, started racing in 1995 and in 2000 he spent one season racing in Belgium. During his time at CW (and Cycle Sport magazine) he has written product reviews, fitness features, pro interviews, race coverage and news. He has covered the Tour de France more times than he can remember along with two Olympic Games and many other international and UK domestic races. He became the 130-year-old magazine's 13th editor in 2015.