BEIJING — Britain beat France for the gold medal in the men's Olympic cycling team sprint Friday, avenging three straight losses to their top rivals at the world championships.

With new bikes estimated at US$26,000 apiece and wearing high-tech outfits modeled after the Speedo LZR Racer suits helping to set records in the Olympic pool, Chris Hoy, Jason Kenny and Jamie Staff finished the three laps around the velodrome in 43.128 seconds, nipping the French time of 43.651.

The half-second margin was somewhat surprising to some, even the British riders, who'd settled for silver at each of the past three world championships, including the one held earlier this year on their home track.

"The French have been invincible," Hoy said. "It took every inch of effort to win this race."

From the outset, the British were in control and added to their margin with every lap, as hundreds of their fans waved flags and cheered inside the Laoshan velodrome.

Germany, the defending Olympic champion, beat Australia by 0.008 seconds for the bronze medal.