More British medals on the cards in Poland

Keirin, Day three morning session, European Track Championships 2010

British riders are in a strong position to gain more medals at the European Track Championships in Pruszkow, Poland this evening.

As the championship draws towards a close with the third evening of racing, the Great Britain team have up to five possibilities of gaining podium places, thus moving ahead of overnight leaders France on the medal table.

Both Matt Crampton and Jason Kenny will ride the final of the men's Keirin having both been unbeaten in the two earlier rounds.

And while Vicky Pendleton hasn't been quite so flamboyant in the women's Keirin - having finished second in both her rounds- she too is down for a ride in the final.

With no British team taking part in the Madison -now rendered a little less significant by it's non-Olympic status- Britain's other hopes lie in the men's and women's omniums.

World Champion Ed Clancy and 18 year old Laura Trott have both ridden with impressive consistency in the five counting events they've raced so far and sit within striking distance of the podium.

With just the 1km time trial remaining, Clancy is in fourth place, four points behind third place rider Tim Veldt.

British Coach Shane Sutton believes Clancy is likely to get a top three place in the kilo but Veldt will be difficult to topple. The Dutchman is a former sprinter who also rode the fastest individual pursuit today and was second behind Clancy in yesterday's flying lap.

Poland's Rafal Ratajczyk is just another two points ahead of Veldt in the silver medal position but, although more of a bunch racer, has the support of an enthusiastic home crowd. Given earlier form in the timed events, German Roger Kluge appears almost untouchable in first place overall.

Perhaps the better prospect for a medal then is Trott who also lies in fourth overall. Following her fourth place in the latest round -the scratch event- she lies (again) four points behind third place rider Jarmila Machacova (Czech Republic).

With Trott having finished fourth in both the previous timed events and Machacova outside the top eight in these, there is every possibility that Trott could edge ahead of her. Each place counts for one point.

European Track Championships 2010: Cycling Weekly's coverage index

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