Cycling: Bruce Croall ready to tread boards in Edinburgh Festival race

Capital cycling star Bruce Croall will be looking to profit from local knowledge when he lines up for the British Omnium Championship, the showpiece event of tomorrow's opening day at the Edinburgh Festival Grand Prix.

The City of Edinburgh rider will be looking to follow in the wheel tracks of another Edinburgh man, James McCallum, who is unable to defend the title he won in impressive fashion last year. The Commonwealth Games medallist is currently training and racing in Holland.

The Omnium, which is now an Olympic discipline, is a stern test of a rider's versatility, comprising four events - a flying lap, 15 kilometre points race, devil take the hindmost and 15 kilometre scratch. The championship has attracted a strong entry of 25 riders from both sides of the Border, as well as several of Ireland's leading performers. Croall's local rivals Ross Crook (Edinburgh RC), Dave Martin (Bicycleworks) and Nicky Hall City of Edinburgh) could also be contenders for a podium finish.

Croall will also be back in action on Sunday when the latest round of the British Sprinters League takes place. He is well placed to move up the rankings with the current top two, his teammates John Paul and Callum Skinner, currently on duty at the World Junior Championships in Italy, while another Scot, Chris Pritchard is injured.

"It will be a tough weekend," admitted Croall, who is eagerly waiting to learn whether he has earned a place in the Scotland Commonwealth Games team.

The women's programme features a round of the British Women's Omnium League and will give relative newcomer Louise Haston (City of Edinburgh) an opportunity to measure her against strong opposition from south of the Border.

Others on show include local club stalwarts who will be battling it out for a share of the prize money in the endurance events - the pick being the Derny challenge on Sunday - as well as a host of youth riders hoping to follow the example of Sir Chris Hoy. Early in his career, a youthful Hoy used success at the meeting as a springboard to global stardom.

The tireless efforts of hardworking grand prix organiser Brian Annable have been rewarded with a bumper entry of 65 riders. Admission to the London Road Velodrome is free on both days. and food will be available at the venue.

The action gets underway at noon tomorrow and at 10am on Sunday.