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Jamie Staff has admitted the bubble has burst for Great Britain's sprinters, but has backed the team to recover from a disappointing World Track Cycling Championships.

"I'm trying to keep stimulated and challenge myself a bit, because I do plan on going to London," he told PA Sport. "Hopefully I do have a challenger and hopefully I'll keep them out."

Staff, who led Jason Kenny and Sir Chris Hoy to team sprint gold in Beijing, is currently penned in as man one - a key position which requires phenomenal power from a standing start.

The 35-year-old with legs like tree trunks was not satisfied with his own performance as he won team sprint silver along with Kenny and Matt Crampton in Pruszkow, Poland last week. It was one of only two medals for Britain's men.

"I was hoping to go a little bit quicker," he added, putting his display - in part - down to the distractions of Olympic success.

"I'm a bit disappointed but I've been in the same predicament as everybody else in the squad and I really can't complain."

Staff will be 39 by the time the Games visit London, but fully intends to retain the lead-off place in the team sprint which he has made his own.

When asked if he was already being challenged for his place, Staff said: "Not really."

"We did trials the other week and Jason had a go at doing lap one and didn't come that close.

"Ross (Edgar) rode as man one (at the World Cup) in Copenhagen and did a respectable time. He had a go to beat me in a trial the week before the championships but he didn't."

Staff expects his biggest challenge to come from David Daniell.

The 19-year-old from Middlesbrough is forging a reputation in the one-kilometre time-trial as "the new Chris Hoy", but he is looking to make an impact in the Olympic disciplines.

And Staff believes Daniell has the credentials to lead off the team sprint.

"I think David has definitely got the potential to challenge me in three years' time," he said. "I'll be carefully monitoring his progression over the next couple of years."

The prospect of a challenge is good for Staff.

"I want to be pushed. I think that's one of the reasons why I was good in Beijing because Craig McLean challenged me for that position," he said. "Hopefully I do have a challenger and hopefully I'll keep them out in London."

Staff was not too despondent over Britain's performance at the first major championships in the build up to London.

"It's been a relatively successful competition, considering we're far from our best," he said. "But by no means are we being naive or big headed. We know we've got hard work ahead and hopefully by 2011, 2012, we'll be dominating the World Championships again."

Sporting Life / Eurosport