THE CAPITAL'S top track cyclists face a tough challenge when they line up against riders from around Britain in this weekend's Edinburgh Festival Grand Prix at Meadowbank.
The most difficult opponent could be the weather which threatens to put a spanner in the works for the city's final major track event of the season.
The two-day programme is scheduled to get underway at 11am tomorrow with qualifying for the DHL
British Sprinters' League. The event is the penultimate round of the competition that has been contested at various venues throughout the season.
Scottish champion Matt Haynes (City of Edinburgh) trails former world junior champion Pete Mitchell – an absentee this weekend – by three points, and with 30 points up for grabs, can go a long way towards securing the overall title with a victory.
His team-mate Bruce Croall lies fifth and cannot catch the leader but will be looking to extend his recent good form and boost his confidence ahead of next month's British Championships.
Croall will also compete in tomorrow's 15-kilometre scratch race for the Edinburgh Corporation Trophy.
Another highlight should be the appearance of teenager Callum Skinner (Edinburgh Racers). He has been south of the Border this week undergoing trials for a place in the National Academy, which aims to prepare riders considered to be potential medallists in London 2012.
And the James Gillespie High School pupil staked his claim by beating the current British record with a performance that must surely seal his place in the Manchester-based set up.
Kate Cullen (Braveheart Cycling Fund) has again returned from racing on the continent and will make sure she has some tough competition by lining up against the men, while newly-crowned European Masters champion Alison Chisholm (Edinburgh RC) will face fast improving Charline Joiner (City of Edinburgh).
The full article contains 310 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
