Scottish track cyclist Chris Hoy is feeling confident that his men’s sprint team can upset bitter rivals (and favourites) France in today’s racing at the Laoshan Velodrome in Beijing.

After a member of the French team riled the Scot by saying that the British will not be as strong in Beijing as they were on home turf at the World Track Championships in Manchester, Hoy retorted:  “That’s good – he’s in for a shock then, because we’re going better than we were in Manchester.”

Indeed, Hoy himself has been recording his best ever times over 200m, beating his personal best three times in the past two weeks.

And Team GB will also be unveiling state-of-the-art new kit and bikes, which may give them a precious fraction of an advantage over their old rivals.

Hoy’s Scottish team-mate, Ross Edgar, will not race for Team GB in the men’s sprint as expected.  He has been edged out by youngster Jason Kenny.  Jamie Staff will start the race, while Hoy, as always, will compete in the third and final leg.

Hoy will move on to race in the men’s keirin and the individual sprint on Saturday and Sunday.  He is currently the World Champion in both events.