MANCHESTER, England (AFP) - Victoria Pendleton moved into the final of the women's sprint at the world track cycling championships here on Saturday to boost home hopes of adding more gold to their tally.

Pendleton, the reigning world champion, overpowered American Jennie Reed over her two-leg final to book her place in the later final against Simona Krupeckaite.

The Lithuanian has looked strong throughout the tournament and proved too fast and cunning for up and coming Chinese sprinter Shuang Guo.

Britain have won an impressive six gold medals from 10 events so far at the competition, the highlight of Friday's action being Chris Hoy's maiden sprint crown.

Edinburgh-born Hoy's feat means he is the first rider in history to hold world titles in the four speed events of the kilometre, team sprint, keirin and sprint.

It is also Britain's first title in the men's event since Reginald Harris's win in the professional category and Cyril Peacock's victory in the amateur ranks, both in 1954.

Hoy's gold charge will continue on Saturday when he competes in the second round of the keirin aiming to defend his crown.

The Scot dominated his eight-man heat in the first round of the chaotic track event ahead of Japan's Toshiaki Fushimi.

They will be both joined in the second round by Britain's Ross Edgar and Matthew Crampton, Australians Shane Perkins and Shane Kelly, Azizulhasni Awang of Malaysia and Greek Christos Volikakis.

Australia's reigning Olympic champion Ryan Bayley was forced into repechages after finishing third in heat four, a fate which also befell former world sprint champion Theo Bos of Holland and Frenchman Arnaud Tournant.

Britain won their fifth gold on Friday when Rebecca Romero, who won individual pursuit gold on Thursday, teamed up with Wendy Houvenaghel and Joanna Rowsell to crush Ukraine to win the women's pursuit.

Britain's other gold medals came from Bradley Wiggins in the individual pursuit, Pendleton and Shanaze Reade in the team sprint, and the men's pursuit team.

Britain will also aim for gold in the men's madison on Saturday, when the only other final on the schedule is the women's points race.