Cycling: Hound dogs Schoefs

BRITAIN'S new pounds 9m velodrome impressed world champions and leading cycling coaches yesterday, but misfortune dogged two contestants on the eve of the inaugural international match at the Manchester venue, writes Robin Nicholl.

Belgium's best sprinter, Erik Schoefs, the 1992 bronze medallist in the world sprint championship, missed his chance to try Britain's first permanent indoor track after colliding with a loose dog while training and sustaining a back injury.

Josef Ka'bele, of the Czech Republic, was later taken to hospital after a spill. Ka'bele hit another rider during training on the 250-metre wooden surface, and suffered an aching head as well as a hip injury.

Today the double world champion, Chris Boardman, who trained yesterday after recovering from a viral infection, takes on the Frenchman Francis Moreau, whom he beat for the world pursuit

title.

'I am feeling much better, and I reckon I have enough in my legs to win,' Boardman said. Racing starts at 1.30pm.