GB Track Team Leaves Rio Rivals Outclassed

Kenny stands out amid Britain’s velodrome heroes.

- Richard Abraham

Great Britain’s rivals were left scratching their heads in Rio as the squad enjoyed a near-flawless week in the velodrome, once again timing its peak performance to perfection.

The British team’s ability to get it right when it matters was personified by Jason Kenny; even before the men’s keirin took place on Tuesday, the 28-year old from Bolton had won his fifth Olympic gold overall and continued his remarkable run of never being beaten in the Games by anyone other than Sir Chris Hoy.

Kenny has won three world titles, most recently in the sprint in 2016, but struggles to replicate his form in-between Olympic Games. Rivals were again flummoxed by how Kenny — and his British teammates — had been able to turn it around just as they did in 2012.

“Our whole programme is based around winning Olympic medals; we are all focused on that,” explained Kenny, team sprint Olympic champion in 2008 and gold medallist in the team sprint and individual sprint in 2012.

“In the World Champs, which mean the world to us as riders at the time, a lot of the team are working purely towards Olympic goals.

“I just feel like I’m the last piece of the puzzle. You’ve got a whole team of guys making sure I’m in the best condition I can be and a whole team of guys making sure I’m on the best possible bike, and I don’t really have to think about doing anything except turning up here and doing my best.”