Cycling: Evan turns up the heat in Colombia

Published on Saturday 3 October 2009 11:15

CAPITAL cyclist Evan Oliphant shrugged off soaring temperatures and the effects of racing at altitude to claim a place on the podium in the opening session of the three-day Gran Caracol de Pista track meeting in Medellin, Colombia.

Oliphant, who is one of four Scots to have made the trip, grabbed second place in the points race behind Leonardo Duque of Colombia, a former world team pursuit medallist and stage winner at the Tour of Spain in the colours of his French team, Cofidis.

Oliphant was due to be back on track today alongside his international team-mate James McCallum.

Also in action was Craig MacLean, the former world team sprint champion, who is returning to competition after illness.

He was tenth fastest in qualifying for the sprint and lost in the knockout stages to Colombia's Cristian Tamayo before bowing out to Jerson Canelon of Venezuela in the repechage.

Meanwhile, Kate Cullen also performed well against top-class opposition to take fifth spot in the women's scratch, which was won by the Italian Georgia Bronzini, a world road race medallist two years ago and runner-up in the Tour of Qatar earlier this season.