The 32-year-old Scot returned to Edinburgh for a civic reception in his honour tonight and to promote the the second year of ScottishPower Renewables' sponsorship of Scottish Cycling.

 

He is clearly enjoying his new-found celebrity and soaking up the acclaim - there is another event for him to attend tomorrow when Manchester, where he trains, stages a celebration for Olympic medallists based in the city - but is already thinking about getting back on his bike.

 

Hoy said: "I'm really, really busy for the next few weeks and then after the end of November, I'll be getting back into training as normal and looking forward to next season.

 

"I've got the World Championships in March, in Poland, and that's the next big goal for me."

 

At the event, which is due to be held in Pruskow from March 25 to 29, Hoy will be looking to add to the nine gold medals he has already won in the event.

 

Hoy won both the sprint and the keirin at this year's competition in Manchester but - unlike in Beijing - had to settle for silver in the team sprint.

 

A fierce advocate of the benefits of cycling, Hoy was happy to see ScottishPower Renewables' sponsorship continue.

 

He said: "You don't get the guys coming out of the top end if you don't invest in the sport at the grassroots level and this is fantastic for Scottish cycling.

 

"To have this kind of support is going to mean everything for the young riders, being given the opportunity to one day go on and become Olympic and world champions too."