UCI World Cup
Cross Country
Charlie Aldridge (Cannondale FR) secured his best World Cup result in the Czech Republic with an excellent fourth place finish in the Cross-Country Olympic race in Nové Mĕsto.
A strong start from Cannondale rider, saw him securely in the top six through a hectic start to the race, with riders switching positions several times a lap on the forest course.
An attack on the third lap of seven by eventual winner Tom Pidcock (Ineos-Grenadiers) would blow the race apart, with the Crieff rider in fourth place at the front of tightly packed chasing bunch. Positions would change again, with the chasing group of around eight riders, including Aldridge, all competiting for the podium.
In the end it would come down to a sprint for fourth between Aldridge and French rider Mathias Azzaro, with the Scot launching from behind to take his maiden elite world cup podium in style.
The ride may have significant implications for the Paris Olympics, with two British riders in the top four of the final qualifying events, securing a second spot for Team GB in the men’s cross-country event in Paris, potentially opening the door for Aldridge to make his Olympic debut.
In the Women’s Elite, Isla Short (Ghost FR) came home in 52nd place, in front of Grace Inglis (Saint Piran), who was enjoying her World Cup debut in Scotland colours in 67th place.
Innes McDonald (Scotland) impressed in the junior event, with a 29th place finish from the first-year Scotia Offroad RT rider, made all the more impressive by his starting position of 100th on the grid.
Short Track
Sunday’s racing came after Saturday’s Short Track where Charlie Aldridge (Cannondale) came home 24th in the men’s elite, and Isla Short (Ghost FR) 34th in the women’s short track.
British Downhill Series
Nevis Range was the venue as the Scottish Downhill Association held the second round of the British Downhill Series over the weekend.
After a dry Saturday, the rain came down on Sunday making the racing far different to the World Cup held just a few weeks ago on the same track.
It was Joe Breedan (Intense FR) and Jess Stone took the two Elite victories in Fort William, but the Scots were well represented across the podiums.
Nina Cameron (West Highland Wheelers) and Beth McCully (Team Creation Cycles) claimed second and third in the elite women.
Charlotte Tuckwood claimed the junior victory from Lacey Holmes (Lanark RT) and Lily Petrie in third place (Swapped). Sorley Swabey (West Highland Wheelers) claimed second place in the open junior event.
A massive thank you to the officials and volunteers for making the weekend’s racing possible.
Full results can be found below, with a full report on the British Cycling website tomorrow:
Straiton Struggle
Alba
Alex Ball (PROJECT 1) claimed an excellent maiden Alba Series victory on Saturday as Ayr Roads CC hosted the Straiton Struggle Road Race.
A leading group of seven forced themselves three minutes clear of the bunch, with the final 3.2km ascent of Blairquhan deciding the finishing order.
Alex Ball exacted revenge on Alex Luhrs (Moonglu RT) by launching his sprint first and holding off the series leader, in a role reversal of the Hugh Dornan Road Race last weekend. With Cameron Muir (Wallacehill CC) claiming third place in Ayrshire.
Scotia
The Straiton saw the opening round of the Scotia Series, with junior rider Erin Boothman (Tofauti Everyone Active) claiming the victory, from Lulu Barlett (Alba RT) with Skye Davidson (Jadan vive le velo Glasdon) claiming third place.
Round two of the Scotia Series takes place at the Duffus Road Race in Elgin, make sure to enter here.
Tour de Feminin
Alba Development RT were in action over at the UCI 2.2 Tour de Feminin in Czechia. Eilidh Shaw was on fine form once again claiming her best results to date on the road, with three top five finishes on each of the road stages on her way to claiming tenth overall in Krasna Lipa.
The Scottish team were very competitive, in particular on the Queen stage of 114km, with four of their riders making the key selection in the final 30km – with Shaw using her kick to claim a second podium of the week.
Rás Tailteann
Ireland’s national tour, the Rás Tailteann took place last week with many Scots making the short hop over the Irish sea for the five-stage race.
It was national road champion Tim Shoreman (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli) that showed his strong form, taking the victory in an absolutely sodden final stage into Maynooth, on his way to claiming the points classification. Shoreman also claimed seventh on the general classification, to round off an excellent week in Ireland.
Strong rides too from Jacob Smith (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli) on the attack on the final stage, and from Logan Maclean (Project 1) guesting for Killarney CC, which saw him spend a period in the mountains jersey after his attack on Stage 2.
Elsewhere
Joe Cosgrove (Scotland) claimed second this weekend at North West Junior Tour, after some strong riding including fourth in the time trial and a sixth place on Stage 1. Alfie George (SCO Dijon-Team Material-velo.com) scored second place on Stage 3 of the UCI 2.2 Tour de la Mirabelle. While Callum Thornley (Trinity Racing) finished ninth on Stages 1 and 3 of the Alpes Isére Tour against a very strong field.
The Cycling Academy were in action in a Danish double-header with the Fyen Rundt and GP Herning, with Aaron King finishing best of the Scottish team in 29th in Herning.
Black Line Open
Newport was the venue for the latest round of the National Track Series, the Black Line Open, with a number of Scots heading down the M6.
There was plenty of success in the Scottish sprinters, with a lockout of the female sprint podium. Ellie Stone (Black Line) claimed the win from Kirsty Johnson (Edinburgh RC) in second and Sarah Johnson (Edinburgh RC) in third.
Loughborough
There was a late result today at the Loughborough Festival of Cycling on the Holiday Monday. Jenny Holl (Loughborough Lightning) claimed fourth in the Jose Gilbert Memorial Trophy.
In the Youth races which formed part of the British Youth Circuit Series, Melanie Rowe (Deeside Thistle) finished in a strong sixth place – and was the top first year under-16 rider. There was a fourth place too for Andrew Levinson (Edinburgh RC) in the Youth B open race.