Cycling: Gregory Bauge not just worried about Chris Hoy

DESPITE the fuss surrounding their rivalry, Gregory Bauge will not be drawn into speculation about a possible sprint showdown with Chris Hoy at the London Olympics.

Frenchman Bauge took the world title in 2009, 2010 and won the 2011 final but was stripped of his title after a ban for failing to provide information about his whereabouts for possible doping tests.

Hoy, the 2008 Olympic champion, was the strongest man in their quarter-final duel at the London track World Cup event last month but it failed to dent the French camp’s confidence.

“It will be a tough competition. I’m not thinking about Chris Hoy only,” said Bauge.

France coach Florian Rousseau added: “There will be other rivals so let’s not just think about Hoy only.”

Bauge and Hoy may square up again in the world championships in Melbourne next week.

“I’m pretty confident, training has been going well, London went well and I’m confident the work I’ve been doing with [coach] Florian [Rousseau] will pay off,” said Bauge, who added that his ban is now behind him.

“It’s in the past now. The London test event put me back on the right track,” he said.