BBC's McElroy scores another Bronze at Junior Track Nationals

(A group of Oregon racers from Beaverton Bicycle Club is competing at the USA Cycling Junior Track National Championships on the large wooden indoor LA Velodrome in southern California. Jon Prettyman, father of racer Joe Prettyman, sent Cycling Action this report.)

By Jon Prettyman

Grant McElroy qualified for the Junior Men 10-12 1K scratch race in the morning, easily finishing his heat in second place. The final started a bit late in the evening session following a scratch by one of the riders. Grant worked hard to hold the wheel of the first place finisher in last night's time trial, but ultimately it became a race for second and third as the leader broke from the pack.

Grant broke early on the third lap and possibly confused by an early flip of the lap board, sprinted for the finish as he came around turn four. After throwing his bike to "finish" second, Grant pulled up track. As the BBC contingent yelled at Grant to keep racing, the field kept on moving. Grant figured out his mistake on the back straight and put the pedal down again and pulled away from the rapidly closing field to finish third. Grant is currently in second place in the omnium with one event left, an 2K scratch race tomorrow.

The other BBC rider racing today was Joe Prettyman. Joe raced hard in the 4K scratch race qualifier, pushing the pack hard at the front and racing very well, but ultimately falling a bit short and failing to finish in the top eight.

(Photo Courtesy of Jon Prettyman)