(BEIJING, August 15) -- Great Britain flew past long time rival France to win their first Men's Team Sprint Olympic gold medal on Friday, opening five days of competition at the Laoshan Velodrome.
The German team pipped Australia by 0.008 seconds to claim bronze thanks to a stunning final leg by Stefan Nimke, the only returning member from the Olympic champions in Athens 2004.
France had beaten Great Britain in three consecutive world championships, but an emotional final-leg showdown between Men's Sprint rivals Chris Hoy (Great Britain) and Arnaud Tournant (France) fell in favor of the British.
After topping both qualifying rounds, Great Britain sprinted to victory in 43.128 seconds with France settling for the silver medal with 43.651.
Great Britain were the fastest on all three laps, with Jamie Staff setting the tone ahead of Gregory Bauge in the first lap.
Jason Kenny held the gap against Kevin Sireau in the second lap, before Hoy sealed the victory.
The French team removed veteran Tournant in favor of Mickael Bourgain in the first round, a decision that almost backfired, with France only edging Germany by 0.046 seconds to pass to the gold medal round. Tournant was back in the rotation for the gold medal race.
The Netherlands team, a medal outsider after taking bronze at the Manchester 2008 World Track Cycling Championships in March, failed to make the medal rounds.
The US team qualified for the final spot in the first round after the race jury relegated Poland for deliberately riding on the blue band during the initial qualifying round.
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