JASON Kenny finished the UCI Track World Cup in Manchester without a gold medal but his confidence boosted for next month’s World Championships.

The Farnworth star added a team sprint bronze on the final day of competition to Friday’s individual silver. But he could not pocket a 15,000 euro prize on offer to the winner of the Japanese Keirin.

The non counting event rounded off the three-day World Cup racing programme. But despite reaching the final Kenny managed only fourth as German Maxamillain Levy grabbed the cash. However, more crucially, he picked up vital qualification points for next summer’s Olympic Games. And there will be more at stake in Apeldoorn in March.

“I am really pleased with how things have gone,” said the 2008 Olympic team sprint gold medallist.

“The whole year has been encouraging with my performances at the World Cup and also the European Championships.

“I am really happy where I am at and looking forward to the World Championships now.”

Kenny’s victory over four-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy was the high spot of his meeting.

And if he were to repeat the performance in Holland, it would put the British selectors under unexpected pressure before the London Games.

However, Hoy showed his class and experience to win a thrilling World Cup keirin which saw a spectacular crash which left Malaysian Aziz Awang needing hospital treatment to remove a 20 centimetres long wooden splinter from his leg.

Awang and silver medallist Jason Niblett earned their medals by walking and carrying their bikes over the finishing line. Kenny suffered no such dramas in the JKA race and contemplated his next showdown with Hoy in a month's time.

“All I can do is ride like I did here. Maybe even find a little bit more and see where that takes me. Beating Chris is always a great confidence booster.

“However, I know he will be more determined than ever to make sure it doesn’t happen again because he is such a great competitor.”

Kenny, Hoy and Mancunian Matt Crampton clocked 44.049 seconds in qualification for the team sprint. But that was not as fast as France and Germany who rode off for gold and silver.