Shane Sutton insists that GB's men's team sprint squad remains in a strong position to defend their Olympic title.
Team GB head coach bullish ahead of World Championships
Head coach Shane Sutton insists that Britain's men's team sprint squad remains in a strong position to defend their title at the London Olympics.
Although Sir Chris Hoy has been in impressive form in individual events so far this year, the team sprint outfit he is also a part of has struggled to deliver going into this week's Track Cycling World Championships in Melbourne.
Hoy won the sprint and keirin at the London Track World Cup in February but could only manage the fourth fastest time in qualifying along with Ross Edgar and Jason Kenny in the team sprint.
However, Sutton remains bullish on his team's chances and is confident there is enough time to make up the deficit before the Games commence.
"Don't forget we were half a second behind the French in Manchester at the worlds in 2008 and we beat them by half a second in the final in Beijing. Don't underestimate our abilities," he said.
Start
Ross Edgar filled the starting position in London in February, a role that has been experimented with since Olympic champion Jamie Staff retired.
Kenny is set to be the starting man at the World Championships with Matt Crampton and Hoy fulfilling the remaining berths, but Sutton says that does not mean Edgar is out of Olympic contention.
Sutton added: "We probably weren't as good as we'd like to have been, but we could also put that down to the phase we were in.
"I thought Ross did a pretty good job considering the amount of time he'd had training for man one and we've got two of the best bike riders in the world behind him."
Sutton is satisfied with how Olympic preparations are going in all events and is looking for the progression to continue with some solid performances in Melbourne.
"Across the board we're very competitive. Even in the team sprint. We're in good shape. We proved that in London. We're moving in the right direction," he said.
"Everything's on track as far as London is concerned. I'm happy where we're at.
Gains
"The main aim is making sure we continue to be the best we can be and make sure we're making gains towards our overall goal.
"We need some good performances, solid performances in all the Olympic disciplines, make sure we're there or thereabouts before we start the final push."
However, he also admitted that the riders must not lose sight of the Olympic goal despite the World Championships being such a prestigious event in itself.
Sutton said: "Melbourne is just part of the pathway. It's not the be-all and end-all of what we're doing here, but it is very important to the athletes, because they all want to wear the rainbow stripes (awarded to world champions).
"We've got no problem with that whatsoever, but our eye has to be kept totally on the ball regarding London. It's important we get that bit right."
