A man who represented Northern Ireland at the 1994 Commonwealth Games has won two titles at the World Master Track Championships at the Manchester Velodrome.
John McClelland, 44, from East Barnet, was part of the Great Britain team which won the 3km men’s team pursuit for 35 to 44 year olds and also defended the 10km scratch race title for 40 to 44 year-olds.
McClelland and his teammates blitzed the Australians in the final of the 3km team pursuit, finishing in a time of 3.18.3 to win by more than six seconds.
The following day, McClelland retained the 10km scratch race crown – something which has never previously been done in any age group under 50.
After qualifying in seventh place in his heat, McClelland finished ahead of France’s Bruno Redondo in the final.
The final saw two riders off the front for most of the 10km race, keeping the chasing pack at bay; however they failed to gain the lap, McClelland bridging across to what was by then a lead group of five riders with five laps to go.
From there he was able to out-sprint his rivals in the final lap to win his second title and make history in the process.
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