NEWTON-based cyclist Ed Clancy will again be carrying the borough’s Olympic gold medal hopes on his shoulders as he strives to repeat his success of Beijing 2008.

Last time around he was a member of Great Britain's team pursuit quartet featuring Geraint Thomas, Bradley Wiggins and Paul Manning.

This time around he has even more responsibility that comes with seniority, with Manning retiring after Beijing and now a team coach while Tour de France winner Wiggins has found an alternative road to success.

But Clancy and Thomas are determined to make there’s a double in London, with the team pursuit including two of Andy Tennant, Peter Kennaugh and Beijing bronze medallist Steven Burke.

“We’re ready to get it on, things are looking good and everyone is riding well and can't wait to put it together on track and see if what we've got is enough,” said Clancy.

“I’m under no illusion that it's going to be a battle. Australia beat us at the test event, we beat them at the World Championships, this is going to be the mother of all deciders.

“In Beijing we took the mick a bit but we've got a fight on our hands this time.

“It’s going to come down to a few tenths of a second, stupid errors will be very badly punished.”

Clancy, who will also compete in the men's omnium event in London, in which he won bronze at this year's World Championship, admits he struggled for motivation after his Beijing success.

After dominating the world in the build-up, Great Britain quickly slipped off the podium top spot in the events that followed.

But after beating Australia, their chief rivals for gold in London, at the World Championships in Melbourne earlier this year, momentum has swing back in their favour.

“I was on a bit of a downer for two years after Beijing. I thought things would keep getting better but I was naive and too unrealistic,” adds the 27-year-old.

“Track cycling is an Olympic programme, everything is geared towards the Olympics and success there. Now the Games have come around again it’s no surprise that we are back where we were four years ago.”

The qualifying round of the Men’s Team Pursuit is August 2, with the first round and final the following day.

The Men’s Omnium takes place over August 4 and 5.

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