AN OLYMPIC cycling star who beat all the odds to win bronze in Sydney has told school children of his pride of winning a medal, writes John Baron.

Jon Clay, from Horsforth, visited children at Pool CofE Primary School yesterday to give a talk on Otley Cycling Club - and told them he was very proud and relieved to have won a medal at the games.

The 37 year old helped the British four man 4,000 metre pursuit team smash the national record in the semi-final but was dropped from the final in which the British quartet won the bronze.

He was originally denied a medal under International Cycling Union rules but was later granted one after an appeal by the British Cycling Team.

He had not cycled in either the first two rounds or the final, but had taken part in the semi final.

He said: "I was very excited and pleased to get a medal. It made all the hard work seem worthwhile. I must admit I was quite surprised - it didn't seem as if it was really happening at the time.

"The worst part is at the start of the race which is scarey.You have 6,000 people, TV cameras and photographers all focused on you. But you set off and

concentrate and your instincts just take over. This is my greatest moment. It is very special and I could not have done it without the support of my family."

But Jon, who has had a passion for bikes since he was a toddler, and has been a professional for 12 years, missed out on a place in the final.

"It was tactical which I didn't agree with. It would have been nice to ride but I accept the reasons the management gave for the decision, we had six riders of the same ability and only four places.

"I thought it was 50:50 whether we would get a medal."

Now retirement beckons for the Horsforth rider, a previous winner of the Otley Road Race. "I'm retiring because I'm getting a bit old for this game, I'm 37 and one of the other riders in one of the other races was only 20 - I was old enough to be his father."

He is retiring from competitive racing after the world championships later this year.

He has a wife, Danielle, 28, and two children, Bridget, 3, and 9-month old Lucas. (37-035-AH)

l Jon was at Pool School to promote a new cycling scheme run by Otley Cycling Club due to start at Prince Henry's Grammar School on Saturday, October 7 and on every following Saturday until November 4. (10am - noon).

Youngsters from seven to 12 years old will be shown how to improve their cycling skills. More details from Alan Edmonson (0113) 2587194.