By Les Clarke
Currently preparing for the Commonwealth Games in Perth, Chris Hoy, Olympic and former world kilo champion has told Cyclingnews he aims to be riding at the 2012 Olympics in London. The 29-year-old Scot, who'll turn 30 during the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, said from Perth, "As long as I'm healthy and injury-free, I can't see any reason why I can't improve and go onto be successful at 35 or 36 years of age," meaning that London in 2012 would be a real option.
"I saw how the Aussies were lifted by having the Olympics in Sydney, and that was just an amazing Games," he continued, adding, "It would be a real lifetime ambition to have a home Olympics." Hoy said preparations for the Commonwealth Games are well on track for the British riders, and with an International GP in Perth this weekend, more good training is on the way. The focus will be the team sprint, with Hoy looking to concentrate on the event post-Commonwealth Games with the Kilo now scrapped from the Olympic program.
Hoy looks to his teammates for inspiration. "You look at Jason [Queally] who's 35 at the moment and going to be 38 in Beijing," said Hoy. "He's just going faster and faster - there's no sign of him letting up. I think it's just about being smart, about using your head." Hoy believes he'll have to adopt some of Queally's strategies in the future to keep himself fresh. "He [Queally] doesn't recover as well now, so he's doing quality sessions and looking to get the most out of himself. Instead of battering himself and running himself into the ground, he's being sensible, and that's what I've got to do," said Hoy, before adding, "I've got a strong work ethic and I do push myself very hard - it's one thing that's going to be hard to gradually back off...but if I'm looking to continue to maybe compete in London in 2012 then it's something I'm going to have to address."
Look for a full interview with Chris Hoy in the coming days on Cyclingnews
