Cycling: Skinner poised for senior debut at World Cup in Beijing

Capital cyclist Callum Skinner could be rewarded for his solid performance at last weekend’s Revolution Meeting with a senior debut for Great Britain at the January round of the UCI World Cup in Beijing.

The 19-year-old City of Edinburgh rider had his first competitive outing for several months when he raced in Manchester last Saturday.

Skinner produced his quickest sprint time on what is now his home track and, although he won only one of his three head-to-head contests in the round-robin stage of the event, he bounced back to finish runner-up behind European champion Matt Crampton in the Keirin.

Now based at the British Cycling Academy, the former James Gillespie High School pupil received a boost to his hopes of going to Beijing when Sir Chris Hoy confirmed yesterday that his next competitive appearance will be in the fourth and final round of the World Cup which takes place at the Olympic Velodrome in London in February. Looking ahead to the possibility of a trip to China, Skinner said: “I’m relishing the prospect of competing there, although selection is still to be decided. I just need to hold on to my form from the weekend.”