King Kenny beats Bauge to sprint gold

Britain’s Jason Kenny claimed his first individual gold medal yesterday when he stunned Frenchman Gregory Bauge 2-0 to win track cycling’s Olympic sprint title.

Kenny, 24, was given the nod over defending champion Chris Hoy to defend Britain’s chances of sprint gold at his home Games after the rules were changed to limit each nation to one rider per event.

Four years after finishing second to Hoy in Beijing, Kenny seized his opportunity with both hands.

After his runner-up place to Bauge at the Melbourne world championships in April, Kenny signalled his intent from day one by qualifying fastest in the 200m flying lap.

It was no guarantee of victory, but it showed he had the finishing speed required against the fastest men on the track.

He then sailed through the rounds to set up a duel with Bauge, the three-time world champion who had been expected to hand France their first title in the event since Daniel Morelon in 1972.

Billed as the ‘dream’ Olympic final by both riders, the only surprise was that Bauge did not level the match to take it to a third leg decider.

“I’m really pleased about that,” said Kenny. “We’re really close (in performance). At the worlds and the year before, he’s been the slightly faster rider.

“Three days ago, I qualified a little bit quicker, and again the race has come down to that.

“I like racing against Baauge, he’s a real pro rider and it always makes for some pretty exciting racing.”

Australia’s Shane Perkins beat Trinidad’s Njisane Phillip to win the bronze.