UCI Junior Track World Championships
Despite being half the world away, the best young track riders in the World descended on China last week, with Erin Boothman (East Kilbride RC) flying the flag for Scotland, the sole representative on a strong GB team.
The female endurance squad set the boards alight all week, scooping multiple world titles, starting with the Team Pursuit, which Boothman was a key part of, coming home in a world record time of 4:20.519 to clinch her first World title.
She wasn’t done there though, as, on Sunday, teaming up with Carys Lloyd she claimed the Madison crown too in dominant fashion, taking a lap and finishing 17 points clear of the rest of the field. Boothman also put in a strong showing in the Individual Pursuit, narrowly missing out on a medal ride as she finished in fifth place – the future is very bright for the West of Scotland star; they certainly didn’t miss their Sunday Morning Call.
British BMX Championships
45 Scots travelled down to Derby for the British BMX Championships over the weekend.
Eilidh Watson (Cumbernauld Centurions) claimed an excellent second place in the Female 14 category after progressing through the rounds, to make the Final on Sunday afternoon.
Cameron Reid (Centurions) made his return to racing in the Superclass with a tenth-place finish.
There were strong rides elsewhere from Brodie Geddes (Centurions) in the Open 13 and Fiona Barrie (Western Titans) who both made their respective Finals, while Veteran 40+ rider Fraser Watson (Centurions) claimed an excellent second place.
Tour de L’Avenir
Eilidh Shaw was another talented young Scot in action on the biggest stage this week, as she lined up for Great Britain at the Tour de L’Avenir Femmes, the biggest U23 stage race in the world.
With huge alpine climbs similar to, and in some instances longer than, the Tour de France Femmes, it was a new challenge for the Airdrie rider, who acquitted herself well and will take away some great learnings as she looks to step up to pro level in the coming years.
Junior Tour of Wales
Elliot Rowe claimed a brilliant second place at the Junior Tour of Wales. The young Aberdeenshire rider claimed second place on Stage Two of the five day race, which was won by former Youth Tour of Scotland winner Seb Grindley.
It’s a big result for Rowe in only his second race since recovering from a long illness. He claimed second place at the Scottish Road Race Championships, a fortnight ago and continues that strong form, into the final part of the season.
North West Youth Tour
Rolling with it were the 34 young Scots that made the journey to Lancaster for the North West Youth Tour. Melanie Rowe (Deeside Thistle) finished second in the Youth A event after winning stage two. Consistency was king for Rowe, with finishes in the top ten on all three stages, ensuring another top result for the young rider.
In the Youth B races, the Deeside duo of Olivia Poole and Zara Main came home in sixth and seventh, facing some horrendous conditions, that would have left the riders wishing they turn up the sun.
In Europe
Sean Flynn (Team dsm-firmeninch PostNL) came home in a strong 11th place in the Tour of Germany, after claiming tenth on Stage Four.
Alba Development RT were looking to be Shakermakers in Belgium over the weekend. The team produced a strong showing at the Egmont Cycling Race last week with Lauren Dickson finishing in the top 20 in her first UCI race, before the team travelled to the 1.1 Konvert Koerse on Friday against a strong startlist.
Over the border in the Netherlands, Callum Thornley (Trinity) didn’t slide away and came home a strong ninth in at the Ronde van de Achterhoek.