Cycling: Croall top bet for medal at Track Masters

SEVERAL Lothians cyclists will make the trip south with high expectations of medals at the British Track Masters Championships in Newport which get underway tomorrow morning, writes COLIN RENTON.

Among the leading contenders in the three-day meeting for riders over the age of 30 is City of Edinburgh ace Bruce Croall, who will start as favourite to retain the kilometre time trial title, as well as being a likely challenger in tomorrow's sprint competition.

The 30-year-old has defied the difficulties of combining his sport with a full-time job and battling against the poor facilities at his disposal to become one of Britain's leading riders of any age.

A good performance this weekend will do no harm to Croall's hopes of securing a place in the Scotland team for next year's Commonwealth Games in India.

Joining him in Wales will be his City of Edinburgh teammate Derek Smith, a potential medallist in the 40-44 age group, and ever-green Andy Laing (Musselburgh RCC) in the 55-59 age group.

Another rider seeking to capitalise on recent good form is Alison Chisholm (Edinburgh RC), another late bloomer, who broke the Scottish 500 metres record last month and competes in the 35-39 category.