Kirkintilloch teenager Jack Cruden delighted to be British keirin champion
And Jack Cruden is now hoping that success can be a launching pad to help him fulfil his dream of one day competing in the Commonwealth or Olympic Games.
The 17-year-old from Milton of Campsie - a sixth-year pupil at St Ninian’s High School - won the keirin title at the British Junior Championships in Newport.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe keirin sees riders paced around the track by a motorbike before they are allowed to sprint for the line.
Jack said: “We had three rounds and in the first round I was second and the winner went straight through to the final.
“But they had a repechage where you needed to win to get into the final and I won that.
“Going into the final I knew I could medal but didn’t think I could win (six in final).”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdHe did just that, getting the better of first round winner Alistair Fielding - only to have an agonising wait before his triumph was confirmed.
He explained: “The fastest person drew one and I was two so I was behind him. When the bike came off people started to come over the top so I was down at the bottom, boxed in.
“He accelerated with a lap to go and everybody started going backwards and I managed to come round him and win it. I won by eight millimetres.
“I knew I had won, you can tell. I lunged and then looked to the side and could see.”
Continued on page 37