Hoy makes winning return in Copenhagen

SIR Chris Hoy has made a victorious return to the international scene, leading the GB team sprint to gold at the UCI World Cup in Copenhagen.

THREE 'N' EASY: Hoy, Staff and Kenny claim World Cup win in Copenhagen (Getty Images)

Hoy, competing for Great Britain for the first time since his three gold medals at the Beijing Olympics, was rejoined by Jamie Staff and Jason Kenny to claim victory in 44.129 seconds.

---

RELATED: Arise Sir Chris Hoy - Knighthood for Olympic cycling star

---

Fellow Olympic champion Victoria Pendleton also took gold in the women's sprint, while 20-year-old Lizzie Armistead also topped the podium in the scratch event.

Pendleton survived a fall in her semi-final on Friday but recovered to see off France's Carla Sanchez 2-0 in the sprint final, with compatriot Anna Blyth finishing tenth.

Jo Rowsell secured the bronze medal in the 3,000m individual pursuit final.

But Olympic bronze medallist Chris Newton, looking to extend his World Cup series lead in the points race, came eighth in the final while Luke Rowe was 15th.

While Hoy, Kenny and Staff enjoyed victory, a second British team of Matthew Crampton, David Daniell and Ross Edgar came fourth in the team sprint.

Hoy will go for a second gold in the men's keirin on Saturday.

Olympic team pursuit winner Ed Clancy competed in the individual event, taking the place vacated by Bradley Wiggins, who is concentrating on road racing this season.

But he missed out on a medal after coming fifth in qualifying, 2.4 seconds behind American Taylor Phinney.