Just one rider was to advance at the first time of asking and Hoy - the 2007, 2008 and 2010 world champion and Olympic champion in Beijing in the event which begins behind a motorised Derny bike - was a comfortable winner of his heat.

Australia's Shane Perkins, who succeeded Hoy as world champion last year in Apeldoorn as the Scot claimed silver, finished fourth in the first of the six heats, won by Yudai Nitta of Japan, and fell into the repechage.

Hoy beat Perkins to sprint bronze on day four at the Hisense Arena.

Jason Kenny, sprint silver medallist behind Gregory Bauge of France last night after beating Hoy in the semi-final, was second in his heat behind Japan's Kazunari Watanabe to fall into the repechage.

Matt Crampton joined his team-mate after finishing a narrow second to Awang Azizulhasni in his heat, which featured a crash at the final lap bell for Matthew Glaetzer of Australia.

In the repechage, only one rider advanced to the second round from each of the six heats, giving no margin for error.

Crampton led from the front and secured a narrow success over Francesco Ceci of Italy to remain in contention.

In a challenging heat, Kenny ousted Perkins and Glaetzer to advance.

Houvenhagel going for gold

In the non-Olympic three-kilometre women's individual pursuit, Wendy Houvenaghel advanced to the final as second fastest qualifier.

Twice a runner-up in the World Championships, as well as claiming Commonwealth Games silver and second in the Olympics to team-mate Rebecca Romero in Beijing, Houvenaghel clocked three minutes 27.842 seconds to finish behind only New Zealand's Alison Shanks (3mins 27.268secs).

Houvenaghel missed out on a ride in the team pursuit as Britain won gold on day two and will meet Shanks - a familiar foe and world and Commonwealth level - in tonight's final.

Joanna Rowsell, who was part of the world record-breaking team sprint trio, finished in 3:31.187 to place sixth and miss out on a medal ride.

Shanks beat Houvenaghel to individual pursuit gold at the 2009 World Championships in Pruszkow, Poland and at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.