LIAM Killeen established his credentials as a future Olympic contender with a Commonwealth bronze in the men's mountain biking.

Killeen, London-born but living in Malvern, is just 20 and is the British Cycling Federation's big hope for the event at the Athens Olympics.

With the world champion, Canada's Roland Green, in the race - winning was always likely to be a tall order for Killeen.

Green cruised to the win but his compatriot McGrath was given a fright by Killeen in front of an estimated 30,000 spectators - easily a record for a British mountain-biking event and one of the highest ever in Europe.

The Canadian duo worked for each other over five of the six laps of the 6.9km route but Green finally exerted himself to attack on the last circuit -- leaving McGrath to fend for himself.

The silver-medallist appeared to struggle for a while until hitting the home straight where he grabbed a Canadian flag before crossing the line.

Killeen earned his medal fending off a strong challenge from New Zealand's Kashi Leuchs who might have done better if his chain hadn't come off the front sprocket on the fourth lap.

"The two Canadians are very strong. Seamus is in the top 10 in the rankings," said Killeen who paid tribute to the huge crowd gathered along the course.

"I've never seen a crowd like this in England."

As good as today was for the Londoner, he is intent on using the years he has on his rivals today -- Green for example is 28 today -- to establish himself on the world stage before travelling to Greece in two years' time.

The big stage appeared to suit the ever-smiling Killeen, the second youngest in the race after Northern Ireland's Glenn Kinning.

He said: "Hopefully this has brought me to another level. From the fourth lap I knew I was riding well. I wasn't really worried about the two in front just holding the guys behind me."