Croall aims to be best of British in Manchester test

CAPITAL cycling star Bruce Croall will tonight bid to add the British kilometre time trial title to the Scottish crown he has held for the last three years.

The event is one of two that will be decided in the opening session of the five-day championships in Manchester, with the women's 500 metres time trial title also up for grabs.

The City of Edinburgh rider finished fourth last year in a competition won by Olympic team sprint champion Jamie Staff, with fellow Olympic gold medallists Ed Clancy and Jason Kenny occupying the minor places. Croall has improved by more than a second this season, recently clocking a time that would have been good enough for the bronze medal last year and, with Staff not defending the title, he goes into the event with high hopes.

Only two of the triumphant Great Britain Olympic squad will compete this week, with Chris Newton contesting the endurance events and Victoria Pendleton set for three women's races. Her first outing is scheduled in the 500 metres. That will mean a chance for much improved Edinburgh RC rider Alison Chisholm and Croall's teammates Jenny Davis and Charline Joiner to test themselves against the world's best.