Olympic track sprint multiple champion Sir Chris Hoy found himself back on the top step of a podium again at the weekend, after taking a class victory in the opening round of the 2015 European Le Mans Series event at Silverstone on Saturday with driving partner Charlie Robertson.
Hoy and 18-year-old team-mate Robertson won the LMP3 class in their Nissan car, built by Ginetta. Robertson started things off before Hoy drove the middle section of the four-hour event, with Robertson back in the driver’s seat for the finale.
Sir Chris Hoy in 2015 European Le Mans Series. By Andy Fitzpatrick
The 39-year-old Scotsman said: “To hear the National Anthem on a podium again was a real moment, not something I thought I’d get to do again!
Hoy’s hour and a quarter turn at the steering wheel is the longest time that he has spent racing in one go, and in a car that went from the designer’s drawing board to finished article in just nine months.
Sir Chris Hoy to write children’s cycling story books
Sir Chris Hoy will co-author the Flying Fergus book series, due to be published in March 2016
“The real achievement here is from Team LNT and Ginetta. To give us a car capable of doing this in such a short time makes me very proud to be part of the effort,” said Hoy.
The six-time Olympic gold medallist retired from cycling in 2013, and soon found plenty to fill his time including establishing his eponymously-named bike brand and turning his hand to motor racing. Hoy also recently announced that he is to co-write a series of children’s cycling-themed story books.
Sir Chris Hoy in 2015 European Le Mans Series. By Andy Fitzpatrick
Hoy’s aim is to qualify and race in the iconic Le Mans 24 Hours in 2016, whilst his former British cycling team-mates ready themselves for the Olympic Games in Rio.
