Nothstein sets his sights on Manchester World Cup

American track legend Marty Nothstein is set to open his 2005 campaign in the UCI Track World Cup meeting at Manchester, 7-9 January. It could be a winning return for Nothstein, who won the World Keirin Championship on the same Manchester track in 1996. “I have every intention to race at the World Cup in Manchester, although the specific events have yet to be decided,” Nothstein said from his home in Pennsylvania, USA.

“I would very much like to race the Keirin events, Scratch race and possibly the Madison in Manchester” he added. Nothstein is also targeting the special Keirin event on January 9th. Sponsored by the Japan Keirin Association, the Manchester race carries £45,000 in prize money and is certain to attract the world’s top riders.

Nicknamed “The Blade” because he is renowned for winning by razor-thin margins, Nothstein is a powerhouse sprinter. At six feet two inches and weighing 180lbs, he is well able to look after himself in the hectic Keirin finishes. Nothstein, 33, achieved international fame in 1994 when he won both the World Keirin and Sprint Championships. Two years later, he was disappointed to lose the Olympic Sprint final in Atlanta to Germany’s Jens Fiedler. But Sydney 2000 saw Nothstein achieve his lifetime ambition when he took an Olympic gold in the Match Sprint. Since making his World Championships debut in 1989, Nothstein has won three World golds, two silvers and two bronzes. He has also won 35 US national titles.

In recent years, he has excelled at endurance events on track and road, winning the Moscow Six-day and the 100-kilometre New York City Cycling Championship on Wall Street. He is also the current US Keirin champion