Cycling: Yorick is Bos of sprint at Capital's Grand Prix

Published on Monday 15 June 2009 10:02

Teenager leads clean sweep by Dutch in rain-affected event

EVEN a heavy downpour just before the presentation failed to dampen the delight of sprint ace Yorick Bos, who emerged as an impressive winner of the DHL Edinburgh Grand Prix at Meadowbank.

The 19-year-old led a clean sweep by the Netherlands squad, with Capital rider Bruce Croall the only man able to threaten the Dutch domination.

Bos marked himself down as the man to beat when he posted the quickest qualifying time in Saturday's session, beating his elder brother into second spot, with their colleague Jaime van de Lught third ahead of Croall and his City of Edinburgh team-mate Callum Skinner.

The Bos brothers proceeded through the opening round and Croall ousted Skinner before the first rain interruption of the weekend forced organisers to abandon the best of three format and opt for a single ride in the subsequent rounds. Even then, a second shower meant it was Sunday before the eventual winner saw off Croall in the semi-final to book a final showdown with his brother, who had beaten van de Lught.

And the younger sibling had the edge in the final, while Croall succumbed in the race for third-place after an engrossing clash that went right to the line.

For the overall victor, it was an enjoyable maiden trip to Edinburgh. He said: "It was great racing – a pity about the rain. I had a great final against my brother. Fortunately I won and I am now on the trophy with some great names like Jason Kenny and Craig MacLean."

The weather was a major irritant throughout the weekend and the continuing absence of a covered facility provoked an angry reaction from David Hoy, who had invited the Dutchmen to the city.

He said: "Alex Salmond and other politicians were quick enough to bask in the glory of the British Olympic success.

"They promised to put money into cycling and it's time for them to deliver."

Between showers there were many excellent performances, with the highlights including a new Scottish 500 metres time trial record for Alison Chisholm (Edinburgh RC). She clocked 37.96 seconds to hack more than eight tenths from her previous best and erase the previous standard held by Kate Cullen.

"I hadn't done a 500 at all this year and it was really in preparation for the British Masters in July," she said.

It was a bad weekend for Cullen, who crashed at more than 30 miles per hour during yesterday's derny-paced event after appearing to be in great shape as she charged through the field following a steady start. Fortunately she was eventually able to limp away.

Meanwhile, Skinner, who had not eased back on his training regime ahead of the meeting, remains hopeful of selection for next month's European Championships in Belarus. He had some consolation when he took second place in the Keirin where he was pipped by his fellow 16-year-old, John Paul – a Scot now living south of the Border and an impressive winner of the Scottish Youths' 15 kilometre points title.

City of Edinburgh riders Graeme Steen and Daisy Sherwood both won in yesterday's shortened programme, and there was a finely judged performance from Ross Crook (Edinburgh RC) to win the derny-paced final.

Meanwhile riders from the kids club Edinburgh Racers battled it out in the Omnium competition although, on this occasion, they were outshone by their rivals from Dundee, Discovery Juniors.