Brinton Heads Qualifying at Cycling Trials

David Brinton, a North Hollywood cyclist who won a silver medal in the individual pursuit at the Pan American Games last year, Wednesday was the top qualifier for the semifinals in the event at the U. S. Track Cycling Olympic Trials.

Steve Hegg, the 1984 Olympic gold medalist in the event, 1984 Olympic bronze medalist Leonard Harvey Nitz and Frankie Andreu were the other three cyclists to qualify for today’s semifinals.

Finals in the event also are scheduled tonight. The winner will earn a place on the U. S. team that competes at the Seoul Olympics.

There were no finals Wednesday at the Alkek Velodrome in west Houston. Time trials were held in the 200-meter sprint team pursuit qualifying event in addition to the quarterfinals of the race for men and women.

Brinton covered the 4,000-meter distance in 4 minutes, 51.71 seconds. Starting from the opposite side of the track, Brinton caught his opponent, Dave Lettieri, of Scranton, Pa., to claim the victory.

Hegg of Dana Point finished in 4:45.18, ahead of Mike McCarthy of Colorado Springs, Colo. Hegg placed third at the Pan American Games last year.