Cycling: Croall piles on the points with a hat-trick of victories in the rain

Published on Tuesday 5 July 2011 13:06

Capital cycling star Bruce Croall (City of Edinburgh) tightened his grip on top spot with an impressive points haul in last night's round of the DHL Meadowbank National Track League, despite the programme being curtailed by the weather.

The British kilometre time trial champion led home his nearest challengers, Dave Martin (Bicycleworks) and Martin Lonie (Dooleys RT), in the 20-lap block handicap to extend his advantage at the head of the table.

And he gave his tally a further boost when he saw off Martin and Steve McCaw (West Lothian Clarion) in the 15-lap points race.

Croall completed a successful outing by powering to victory in the handicap sprint final, coming home ahead of Edinburgh RC youngsters Sean Noon and Sean Hadden. Noon was the top performer in the youths' events, ousting Adam Stobbart (Edinburgh Racers) and Mathias Barnett (Edinburgh RC) in the 500 metres sprint, then taking the honours in the pursuit, with Barnett and Stobbart reversing their finishing positions.

Although the season still has eight weeks to run, Croall already has a lead that looks virtually unassailable.

Meanwhile, Noon has moved to within striking distance of his teammate Jacob Littlejohn in the race for the youths' title.