BMX Worlds
The world’s best BMX racers headed to Copenhagen for the World Championships, which includes the age-group Worlds, with events for every single category. A strong Scottish contingent made up of Cumbernauld Centurions and Western Titans riders made the trip to Denmark to take on the 3000+ riders who were in action!
Leading the charge was Ruby Warren (Titans) who in the Girls 13 category finished 16th overall, a huge ride. Ruby, who is part of the RACE programme, made the semi-finals on her Worlds debut. There were further strong performances for Centurions duo Cooper and Tillie McCrum, who finished 34th and 38th respectively in the Cruiser Boys 15-16 and Women’s 17-24 categories.
In the Masters ranks, Fraser Watson (Centurions) showed his class with a sixth place finish in the Cruiser Men 45-49 category, a masterclass in consistency and race craft. Meanwhile in the Cruiser Men 50+, Brett Archibald (Titans) finished 31st overall in a very deep category.
Well done to everyone who made the trip; a huge learning opportunity and a wonderful experience.
British Youth & Junior Track Champs
The best young track riders in the UK descended on Manchester for the British Championships this past week, and there was plenty of Scottish success to write home about.
Leading the charge was Melanie Rowe (Deeside Thistle), who took no fewer than four titles in the Elimination, Individual Pursuit, Madison and Points, adding to the Road and Omnium titles she had already won this year!
In her final days riding for Tofauti Everyone Active before she steps up to the World Tour with Liv AlUla Jayco, Erin Boothman would win the Junior Female Individual Pursuit and Points races, and take silver in the Madison, adding to her already impressive palmares. Bettering her in the Madison was Arabella Blackburn (Shibden Apex), who like Boothman has enjoyed European success already this summer.
The gold rush didn’t stop there – Zara Main (Deeside) would take the Youth Female Sprint title, adding a silver in the Points for good measure, whilst Andrew Levinson (Edinburgh RC) would take the gold in the Youth Open Points race with a stunning performance. Sam Martin (Beeston) was another ride to step up when it mattered; he took silver in the Junior Open Scratch, and bronze in the Points.
In the Youth Madison Eve Fairbairn (Discovery Juniors) and Izzy Barbour (Edinburgh RC) would combine in fine style to secure silver medals, whilst Barbour’s teammate Micah Myles would bag bronze in the Youth Open Scratch. Myles would also ride to fourth place in the Team Sprint, his team including Ezra Nduini, and sticking with the sprint events, Lottie Wadrop, who has come through the Talent ID programme, was a fine fourth in the Junior Women’s Kierin.
Finally, a mention for Millie Boothman (Glasgow Riderz) and Zara Main (Deeside) who were fourth in the Youth Female Madison, whilst Reuben McLardie (Johnstone Jets) and Fraser Gemmel (West Lothian) were sixth in the male equivalent.
MTB Marathon
Newcastleton in the Borders played host to the British MTB Marathon Championships for the second successive year, and there was once again Scottish success across the board. Isla Short was a runaway winner in the Female race, adding a second British title in the space of three weeks after taking the Olympic distance crown in Cornwall last month. Joining her on the podium and completing a Scottish 1-2 was Anna Flynn (Spectra), an impressive ride in her first MTB race of the year. Furthermore, it was fifth for Kim Baptista (Spectra) and bronze for Megan Mowbray (Team HUP) in the M50F category.
In the Open race Gary MacDonald showed a return to top form, a strong third and final lap pulling him into the top 10 overall, and ensuring a trip to the podium as second M40, behind only overall winner Jason Bouttell.
Speedway
In what is arguably the best performance by a senior Fife Cycle Speedway rider, Kayden Davidson beat a strong field to become the Northern Individual Champion, the first time a Fife rider has achieved this feat. It was shoulder to shoulder racing down in Greater Manchester, with a few offs, but Kayden stuck to the task to prevail as champion!
TCIF
Thank Crit It’s Friday continues at West Lothian Cycle Circuit, with riders tuning up for the Youth, Junior and Senior National Criterium Championships, which take place this weekend at Tulliallan and Fife Cycle Circuit. Amongst the winners on Friday were Conal Davidson (Vanelli-Project GO), Kris Lindsay (Veloclub Edinburgh) and Boo Willaims (Royal Albert).