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The trio of Jason Kenny, Philip Hindes and Callum Skinner claimed gold in an Olympic-record time of 42.440 seconds, beating world champions New Zealand.
The reigning Olympic champions journey to qualify was one of ease, starting impressively by setting an Olympic record in the first qualifying round against Venezuela with the fastest time putting them into the gold and silver medal race.
In the final, Britain trailed New Zealand by 0.035 seconds after the first 250m because of an astonishing 16.995 second opening lap from New Zealand’s Ethan Mitchell. This was before Jason Kenny, now four time Olympic champion, put in an amazing second lap to put Great Britain 0.086 seconds ahead and then new-boy, Callum Skinner, consolidated and then increased the lead to win by 0.102 seconds.
This gold marked a surprising and remarkable win for the Team GB’s sprint team who weren’t considered one of the favourites for a medal in this Olympic Games as they have failed to medal in the event since the 2012 World Championships.
“We were outsiders coming into the Games so it was great for it all to come together”, Jason Kenny told BBC Sport.
“The Kiwis went fast in the semi-finals and broke out Olympic record so to be honest I was replying on them to fall to bits. But they didn’t and we went out and beat them. That’s what makes me proud.”
Great Britain couldn’t have hoped for a better start for the cycling at the velodrome with all Team GB cyclists looking really good and being dominant in qualifying.
France’s Gregory Bauge, Francois Pervis and Michael D’Almedia took bronze in a time of 43.143 with Australia’s Nathan Hart, Matthew Glaetzer and Patrick Constable behind finishing on 43.298.
Great Britain will be hoping for more medals in the track cycling with Laura Trott, Katie Archibald, Elinor Barker and Joanna Rowsell-Shand going for gold in the women’s team pursuit. While, Bradley Wiggins and his team mates will be hoping to win gold in the corresponding men’s event.
