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Kenny: Bright future
It's good to be used to the attention now because the build-up is going to be big in London, especially if you're going to be one of the favourites, which I think I will be in four years' time.
Jason Kenny
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Jason Kenny is eager to move on from the fanfare of Beijing and focus on next year's UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Poland.
The Sky+HD Trade Team rider shot to stardom during the Olympics when he helped Great Britain storm to gold in the team sprint as well as taking silver behind Chris Hoy in the individual discipline.
His momentum carried into the opening leg of the World Cup series at the Manchester Velodrome where he collected two golds and a silver as the host nation continued to underline their dominance on the wooden track.
Bolton-born Kenny admits preparing for last weekend's three-day event was pretty difficult as he tried to balance his training schedule with a number of post-Beijing celebrations and festivities, including a recent lap of honour round the Reebok Stadium during a Premier League match.
But now it's time to get back to business, and his performances in Manchester proved he's perfectly positioned to stay on course for yet more success between now and London 2012.
He said: "Training has been a little broken since the Olympics obviously so I'm really pleased that I'm still competitive and pushing for medals.
"Hopefully now I can do some serious training and hopefully carry on doing really well because that's when I enjoy it most.
"London 2012 is always in the back of my mind because it's the ultimate goal for any athlete competing now. That said there are plenty of things to be getting on with along the way.
"The management have a long-term plan but as a rider my next big thing is the World Championships in March next year so that's all I'm thinking about really."
Back to normality
Even so Kenny has been thrilled by the widespread adulation the British cyclists have received since returning from Beijing and he won't be forgetting the experience in a hurry.
"The reaction has been so positive so it hasn't been a problem or a chore," he added. "At the Reebok I did a lap of honour and although I was cheering for Bolton, all the Arsenal fans were still clapping me.
"I let myself enjoy all the post-Beijing reaction. But I think now it's a bit further on and it's important we do get back to some good high training throughout the winter and I'm keen to do that.
"The last few weeks have been great but I think it's time to get back to normality."
Having picked up seven out of 10 possible gold medals inside the Laoshan Velodrome, there are now huge expectations on the British team to sweep the board in four years' time and Kenny insists they can all cope with the pressure.
He said: "It's good to be used to it all now because the build-up is going to be big, especially if you're going to be one of the favourites, which I think I will be in four years' time.
"We'll have to deal with a lot of attention and a lot of media. Every day I'm learning so I'll be fine come London."
The future's bright
Kenny was not surprised to see so many youngsters without Olympic experience topping the podium in Manchester and believes the strong domestic rivalry will keep them at the top of the world, even if it's at his own expense.
He said: "In four years' time I'll be fighting for my place against some 20-year-old like myself trying to push me out of the team! A lot can happen in four years.
"It's a good thing, though, because when a young rider comes into the team and does well it makes everybody else raise their game.
"There's a really good atmosphere in the team and everyone is happy for each other to do well. If you looked at us during the Olympics everyone got on and we're all friends.
"Obviously as individuals we each want to win but there's a mutual respect that we feel the same way.
"We're competitive in most of the events and that's all you can do really. When everyone around you is winning gold it's a great feeling.
"I think the rest of the world are trying their hardest, and that's all that we're doing. We're constantly trying to go that bit quicker and I'm sure that will continue."
Sky boost
Kenny is also confident British Cycling's multi-million pound partnership with Sky will create more opportunities for the sport and help riders maintain a sustainable career.
He said: "It's obviously going to bring in more money which is great for a sport like this which doesn't offer a footballers' salary and also we'll have a lot of exposure."
Alongside Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton, Shanaze Reade, Jamie Staff and Ross Edgar, Kenny is delighted to be part of the Sky+HD Trade Team and hopes the jet black skin-suits will have an impact on results.
"Everyone has commented on how good it looks," he added. "It's an honour to be on the same team as Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton."
