Sir Chris Hoy believes Great Britain’s track cyclists will see an upturn in form ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games after a difficult world championships in February.
Britain won three silver medals in Paris but saw a remarkable run end as they missed out on a gold medal for the first time in 15 years.
“I definitely think the fortunes of the team will change after a disappointing worlds in Paris,” said Hoy, who is Britain’s most successful Olympian with six gold medals and one silver.
“On the surface it wasn’t great, no gold medals, but if you look below the surface and realise the progression that has been happening in a number of events - big strides in the men’s team pursuit for one - it’s not looking as bad as some people think,” added Hoy, who was speaking at the launch of a partnership between Evans Cycles and British Cycling's Go-Ride programme.
London will host next year’s UCI Track Cycling World Championships in March, the final major track event before the XXXI Olympiad in Brazil.
Great Britain have topped the cycling medal table at the last two Olympic Games in Beijing and London, winning eight gold medals at each respectively.
“It’s also about managing the expectations of the public and the media,” Hoy said.
“To expect another Beijing or London is unrealistic because that was dominance that was almost unprecedented.
“Three gold medals, four gold medals would be an exceptionally good Games for the British team and I think that is possible.
“They are heading in the right direction. They are training incredibly hard as they always do and morale is picking up and I think it’ll be coming to a peak at just the right time.”
Tickets for the 2016 UCI Track Cycling World Championships from 2-6 March go on general sale on Tuesday 12 May.
