The 24-year-old from Bolton (pictured top, left) was in imperious form to beat the Frenchman and claim his second gold medal of London 2012 after his victory in the team sprint last week.

But this win may be all the more special for Kenny.

A controversial International Cycling Union (UCI) ruling, introduced after Beijing 2008 to stop Britain dominating the sport, means that only one rider or team from each country can be selected for each event; for this discipline, Kenny was selected ahead of reigning Olympic champion Sir Chris, whom he won silver behind at Beijing 2008.

Kenny also has "history" with four-times world champion Baugé having picked up the 2011 individual sprint world title only after his rival was stripped of the title for missing a drugs test.

Britain's Jason Kenny, congratulated by his family, shows off his individual sprint gold medal

The 27-year-old, however, regained the crown by beating Kenny 2-0 at the World Championships in Melbourne in April.

But Kenny produced arguably the greatest display of his career so far as two magnificent surges of power proved too much for Baugé who was forced to settle for silver with Australia's Shane Perkins beating Njisane Nicholas Phillip of Trinidad and Tobago to third place.

"It's amazing," said Kenny, who is now a triple Olympic champion after also winning gold in the team sprint at Beijing 2008.

"We were really close and he [Baugé] has been faster at the World Championships.

"Three days ago I qualified quicker and I like racing against Baugé."

Victoria Pendleton will be hoping to emulate Team GB colleague Kenny in the sprint tomorrow

The win continues Britain's stunning form in the Velodrome and the host nation now has five gold medals and a bronze from seven events over the past five days, the first of which won by Kenny, Hoy and Philip Hindes in the team sprint.

Following Kenny's success, Team GB will hope to add more golds to its medal tally tomorrow when three further events will be decided on the final evening of cycling competition.

Victoria Pendleton will defend her women's individual sprint title, Sir Chris goes in search of a record sixth Olympic gold medal when he does likewise in the keirin and Laura Trott will bid for her second success of these Games in the omnium, which she is leading at the end of the first day.

Should all three be triumphant Team GB's cycling team, who at these Games have also able to celebrate the victory of Bradley Wiggins in the time trial, would surpass its phenomenal gold medal haul from Beijing 2008 when it claimed eight victories.

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