Cycling: City cyclists enjoy sprint one-two

City of Edinburgh riders John Paul and Callum Skinner moved a step closer to securing their place in the Great Britain team for next month's World Junior Track Cycling Championships in Italy when they bagged the top two places at the Dudley Grand Prix.

Skinner was the leading qualifier with Paul posting the third quickest time, but both riders progressed comfortably through the knockout stages to book their places in the final.

Paul led during the opening stages of the title decider, but Skinner battled back to set up a tight finish although it was his younger colleague who had most in hand as he accelerated round the final bend to come home half a bike length clear of his team-mate.

The win leaves Paul, who had also performed well at both Newcastle Under Lyme and Edinburgh in the previous rounds, clear at the top of the British Cycling Sprinters League, with Skinner in second place.

Both riders could also earn selection for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. It is looking increasingly likely that Scotland selectors will opt to field a youthful line up to give some of the younger competitors experience ahead of the 2014 Games in Glasgow.