Britain finished fourth overall in the medals at the Olympics last year in Beijing, winning 47 medals, including 19 gold.

 

More than a quarter of that figure was contributed by Britain's cyclists, who won an amazing 14 medals, eight of which were gold.

 

They will now be expected to repeat that dominance at the Games in London where the team is expected to include Sir Chris Hoy, winner of three Olympic gold medals in Beijing, and Victoria Pendleton, who won the sprint title.

 

Sutton, 52, said: There are challenges that come with being at home in terms of expectations and how you manage that.”

 

But he is confident that he as head coach, together with performance director David Brailsford and team psychiatrist Dr Steve Peters will ensure success.

 

Sutton said: “I know with Dave and Steve we’ve got the right people that can manage that expectation.

 

"We’ve got one of the best coaching teams in the world.

 

"Dave has always said if we’re not in the top three in our field we shouldn’t be in the building.”

 

Sutton was a team of the Australian team that won the gold medal in the pursuit at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton but has worked in Britain for several years.

 

His achievements were recognised last December when he was voted Britain's Coach of the Year by UK Sports Coach.