The Scot's winning run came to a stuttering end today – beaten, among others, by a Russian swimmer, a German fencer and a taekwondo fighter from Korea.

Hoy might have been hailed as "superman" by his team-mates in the British cycling team but the fickle electorate in the Olympic Village clearly had other ideas.

The four-time Olympic champion had put his name forward to join the International Olympic Committee's athletes' commission but maybe his three golds proved too big a drag on the ticket.

While rivals stumped for votes, Hoy was busy elsewhere writing history.

"I was serious about wanting to be elected but given my focus of the last few days, the campaign was always doomed," admitted Hoy. "It's been quite competitive and I should have had Ross Edgar out on rollerskates handing out leaflets saying 'Vote for Chris'.

"The message was serious though and I'm disappointed not to be elected. I wanted British athletes to have a voice on the IOC and I wanted cyclists' opinions to be heard as well. I know first-hand the frustrations we feel about how sport is sometimes run, so being involved would have at least made my voice heard."

Hoy was holding court again in Beijing today. He joined three other British athletes to be taught the basics of noodle making in a photo-op for his sponsors B&Q.

Hoy admits he is struggling to get used to the attention, as he is dragged from one interview to another and feted at every step.

He hadn't touched a drop of alcohol between March's World Championships in Manchester and the conclusion of his Beijing campaign – although a canny coach filled his water bottle up with Belgian beer as he tried to refuel before his final medal ceremony.

However, he's slowly getting used to the taste of champagne.

"It's a bit ridiculous isn't?" he admitted. "I think it's starting to sink in, the magnitude of it all. I'm really humbled by the attention and interest from all corners of the globe. After Athens there was some interest in me for about a fortnight when I got home but things went back to normal very soon. This time around I don't know what to expect. I still think you'll see me out and about doing my shopping, I don't think the people close to me will let me get too big for my boots."

British cycling chief David Brailsford yesterday hailed the commitment Hoy made to the overall success at the Laoshan Velodrome and this morning Hoy returned the compliment.

"Forget people talking about a knighthood for me, what about Dave?" he added. "He should be Prime Minister for the work he's done for this team. Personally I'd put him in charge of the NHS – he'd sort that problem out!"

A chorus of cynics may have raised a collective eyebrow at British cycling's unprecedented triumphs but Hoy believes the future could be even brighter. Snapping at his wheels there are host of young pretenders, keen to throw a spanner in the spokes of the very golden oldie.

"This is the just the start of a great era for British cycling," added Hoy. "When you look at the talent coming into the academy it's incredible. Too many sports say they are going to do something and then don't deliver. It's just a great privilege to be part of a programme that talks the talk and also walks the walk."