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29th Olympic Games - JO
Beijing, China, August 9-23, 2008
Main Page Results Previous Event Next Event
Event 30 - August 19: Men's Sprint Semifinal
Brits to face each other in gold medal round
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The dominance of the British track cycling team was never clearer than when both Chris Hoy and 20-year-old former BMX-er Jason Kenny quickly dispatched Mickaël Bourgain (France) and Maximilian Levy (Germany) in the sprint seminfinal. Hoy and Kenny are now guaranteed a 1-2 finish in the event, and it is likely that the Scot will take his third gold medal of the Games.
The two riders from Great Britain showed similar tactics in the opening round by forcing their opponent to a high-speed dash beginning well before they crossed the line at the bell lap. Both riders showed unbeatable finishing speed, and finished well ahead to take the first race.
On the second round, Hoy led and never let the speed drop throughout the race. He put in such a powerful burst of speed at the bell lap that Bourgain struggled to get onto his wheel, let alone come past. By the time the two reached the final turn, Hoy had two bike lengths and the Frenchman simply conceded.
Kenny also led on his second race, and was clearly a quick learner. Despite being a relative novice at the match sprint, he employed the exact same tactic as Hoy to distance Levy as the bell rang. The German never made up ground and will go on to the bronze medal final.
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Casey Gibson/www.cbgphoto.com
- Chris Hoy (Great Britain) and Mickael Bourgain (France) started off the night's semifinal.
- The final night in the beautiful Olympic velodrome had a sellout crowd.
- There were plenty of Union Jacks flying in the Laoshan velodrome where the British took seven golds in ten events.
Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com
- Jason Kenny (Great Britain) defeated Maximilian Levy (Germany) in two runs to move to the gold medal final.
- Hoy vs Bourgain in the semi finals
- Hoy defeats Bourgain two straight runs
- Mickael Bourgain (France) is no match in the semi final against Chris Hoy (Great Britain)
- Hoy and Bourgain faced off in the run to qualify for the final.
- Mickael Bourgain was no match for Hoy
Results
Heat 1 Race 1 1 Chris Hoy (Great Britain) 10.260 2 Mickael Bourgain (France) Race 2 1 Chris Hoy (Great Britain) 10.358 2 Mickael Bourgain (France) Heat 2 Race 1 1 Jason Kenny (Great Britain) 10.594 2 Maximilian Levy (Germany) Race 2 1 Jason Kenny (Great Britain) 10.335 2 Maximilian Levy (Germany)
