Sir Chris had been out of action since a fall during the keirin final at the World Cup in Copenhagen in February, which forced him to miss the World Championships.

But the four-time Olympic champion showed no signs of sluggishness at the Manchester Velodrome.
 

In a field that also included Beijing silver medallists Jason Kenny and Ross Edgar, Sir Chris reigned supreme.
 

He faced defending champion Matt Crampton in the final: which he won in a time of 9.99sec, a new track record.
 

It was also the first time Sir Chris, 33, has won the British title.
 

Sir Chris said: "I qualified fastest but was still riding like a numpty.

 

"The coaches were saying even then that I had the build and the speed and it was just a matter of fine tuning but I didn't believe them."

 

"I felt rusty today, it took a lot of concentration.

 

"I had to focus on the process and take control of the races.

 

"In the first couple of rounds you can switch off, because you know you are faster than the other guy.

 

"You get sloppy, so it's almost easier against faster opposition.

 

"It was a matter of remembering the basics."

 

Sir Chris showed no fear upon his return.

 

He said: "If you had fear, you would have fear in training because of the speeds you go at.

 

"It's the furthest thing from my mind and you accept it as part of the sport - it's just one of the things you deal with."

 

Sir Chris will return to the Manchester Velodrome next weekend for the first World Cup event of the new season.

 

 

Related stories

April 2009: Sir Chris resumes cycling after injury

March 2009: Sir Chris pulls out of World Championships

February 2009: Sir Chris crashes out in Copenhagen