Croall bids for hat-trick

BRUCE CROALL (City of Edinburgh) sets out on his bid to seal a third successive title in the Meadowbank National Track Cycling League title at the London Road Velodrome tonight.

Croall's closest challenger last season was his club mate Nicky Hall, who will be keen to maintain his progression having finished fourth, third and second in each of the last three seasons.

Another City of Edinburgh rider, Daisy Sherwood, defends the women's title having edged out Kate Cullen by a single point in last year's competition.

Admission is free for spectators although, as ever, the racing, which is scheduled to get underway at 7.15pm, is at the mercy of the weather and will not go ahead in the event of rain.

One rider who will be absent is 14-year-old Patrick Galbraith (Velo Ecosse). He is currently on a school exchange in the United States but has not allowed that to keep him away from his bike.

Galbraith won the youth category event at the Daniel Harwi Memorial 21st Annual Lower Providence Spring Classic Criterium.

Competing over a 17-mile course, he won the first intermediate sprint and was second in each of the other two before sprinting home clear of the field.