Sir Chris Hoy tonight claimed a historic sixth Olympic gold medal.

The 36-year-old Scot broke Sir Steve Redgrave's record of five golds to become Britain's most decorated Olympian. His silver takes his total medal tally to the same as Bradley Wiggins, who has only four golds.

Hoy's gold in the keirin tonight was his second of London 2012, after he took part in the winning team sprint event last Thursday.

Germany's Maximilian Levy was second, while two bronze medals were awarded as Simon van Velthooven of New Zealand and Teun Mulder of Holland could not be separated by officials scrutinising the photo finish.

Hoy was third behind the motorised Derny and appeared boxed in as Awang Azizulhasni made his move just before the pace-setting bike left the track.

The Scot swiftly found a gap and eased to the front of the six-man final group before turning on the power in the final lap and into the final bend to triumph on the Olympic stage once more and successfully defend the title he won in 2008.

Hoy won one-kilometre time-trial gold in Athens eight years ago and triple Olympic gold four years later and was received by all members of the British coaching staff as he said goodbye to the Olympic stage for a final time.

He was unable to keep back as the tears as he received the gold and heard the national anthem played, as Prince Harry and an excited velodrome crowd cheered.

However, Great Britain's Victoria Pendleton was denied a golden goodbye and a third Olympic title in dramatic fashion as her perennial rival Anna Meares claimed sprint gold at the London 2012 velodrome.

After watching Britain's Laura Trott become a double Olympic champion with victory in the omnium, Pendleton met Meares in the best-of-three final in a repeat of the 2008 gold medal race which the Briton won.

The 31-year-old was aiming to finish her career on a high with a third Olympic gold - a record for a British female - and her superior pace saw her cross the line first in the first bout, but she strayed from the sprinting lane under supreme pressure from the physical Meares and commissaires awarded the Australian victory.

Pendleton had to respond in the second bout to force a decider and Meares was in front first, watching her opponent. Meares came to a near halt at the end of the first of three laps, forcing Pendleton to the front.

The Australian rounded Pendleton on the outside and the Briton could not respond as Meares celebrated before the line by punching the air.

It ended hopes of a fairytale conclusion to Pendleton's sensational career and saw Meares take revenge for Beijing.

Pendleton said: "I'm just so relieved right now. I've been a bit overwhelmed with emotion. I would have loved to have won on my final race but I'm just so glad that's it all done and I can move on."