The Red Arrows flying in formation is how one spectator described Britain’s pursuit team, though maybe a new moniker – the White Arrows – should be coined. Their world-record-beating performance in retaining their world title was breathtaking. They are the Lamborghinis of the track, while their challengers were simply family saloon cars.

The heroic effort of Bradley Wiggins, Ed Clancy, Geraint Thomas and Paul Manning was one of the most impressive sporting performances I have ever seen. I have been very fortunate to witness some pretty incredible sport over the years, but they way the squad set out to win gold, changing their formation and setting a world-class pace from the off was sensational.

It is hypnotic to watch the team tear round the velodrome, sweeping up and down the banking in perfect harmony. They spend hundreds of hours perfecting their technique and it all came together in four beautiful moments (well, actually 3.56.322 minutes, but what’s four seconds between friends?).

The Union Jack was raised three times as the slightly partisan crowd revelled in the British team’s success. Thankfully, the organisers had no problem in locating the national anthem, recovering from their faux pas on Monday night when the crowd had to improvise La Marseillaise for the French sprint team.

The men’s pursuit team inspired the British women to add to the gold rush, Rebecca Romero knocking Victoria Pendleton off the front pages with a sensational ride in the individual pursuit. After qualifying, the former rowing world champion slumped in the team pen, coughing and heaving after setting a new British record to book her place in the gold medal race against reigning champion Sarah Hammer.

Romero showed what a gutsy competitor she is by hopping back on the bike to sweep to victory, and showed few ill effects as she came straight to my interview position after climbing off the track as the new world champion. It was an emotional few moments as the enormity of what she had achieved began to sink in.

It is a real privilege to be right in the thick of the action, talking to the cyclists when they stagger off the track, and having a ringside seat for all the drama that inevitably surrounds a world championship.

This week, I have Jamie Staff alongside me, and he has been able to give some real insights into what makes this team tick. He’s great company, with a wicked sense of humour, and I am looking forward to hearing his thoughts on Friday’s sprint finals.

Staff was impressed by Shanaze Reade and Pendleton’s defence of their team sprint title, though chuckled as Shanaze explained she had a poor start out of the gate after the timing device did not beep with two seconds to go. Apparently, Miss Reade is something of a perfectionist and is not very happy when absolutely everything does not go to plan. Thankfully the two riders had enough power to handle the situation and stormed to victory ahead of China.

The final thrill of Thursday evening came in the quarter finals of the men’s sprint and for me, one of the most impressive performances of the night. Chris Hoy is one cool customer and, having lost the opening sprint against reigning world champion Theo Bos, he knew he needed two wins in a row if he was to make tonight’s semi finals.

Hoy was caught napping in the opening race but certainly wasn’t going to let lightening strike twice. He produced a breathtaking display of determination, sheer power and aggression to beat Bos and claim a place in the semis. It took a photograph on the line to confirm his decisive victory, though I already knew he was safely through after watching his father David leap to his feet in celebration from his seat right on the line.

The perfect day was rounded off with a couple of glasses of wine at the Hoy residence late on Thursday night to celebrate a wonderful day for British cycling. The Hoys are good hosts and I can’t wait for the party if Chris can add to the gold medal tally in the days ahead.

What do you think of the performances so far, and do you think Team GB can beat their seven-gold haul from Palma last year?