It was a beautiful day on the Orton course, just outside of Fochabers, as Scotland’s best time trialists faced the traditional 10-mile challenge.
The course facing the riders was an out-and back loop, with the turn being the roundabout at the famous Baxter’s of Speyside. A tight turn indeed, one where riders would have to be cautious of not overcooking it.
With a tailwind on the way out, before turning into a headwind on the way back, it was all about ensuring there was some soup left in the can for the second half of the course.
Senior Open
In the distinctive Belgian-coloured skinsuit, Adam Wild (GS Metro) was the only rider to post a time under the 20-minute barrier, on a relatively slow course, his time of 19:52 was enough to claim the National title. It was a lengthy wait for Wild to confirm his title, as one of the earlier starters in the open field.
Ray Wilson (GTR-Return to Life) ended up being his closest challenger – with the 2023 50-mile silver medallist replicating that feat in this years’ 10-mile championship, posting a time of 20:33. While, the bronze medal went to Sam Glover (Elgin CC) with a time of 21:16.
Senior Female
There was a home win in the Senior Female with Lorna Breetzke (Elgin CC) producing a 23:54, narrowly claiming the win by four seconds from Alison Roger (North Argyll CC) who also produced a sub-24 time.
Breetzke was clearly delighted to claim the win on her home course and told Scottish Cycling:
“I know the course like the back of my hand and I’ve had many tough times on the return leg! I knew going into the race I would have to get very close to a course record to take gold. I was 3 seconds short but scraped the win by 4 seconds so I’m super chuffed!”
“When I started organising events I never imagined we could host a National Championship at Elgin CC. When I suggested we take it on Diane knew I would want to ride so volunteered to organise. She did a brilliant job as did the rest of the events team at Elgin. I’m very proud of them all!”
Junior Open
Rhys Edwards (Trainsharp development) plies his trade on both the track and road and claimed his first Scottish title by claiming the junior open victory in Orton.
Edwards’ time of 21:35 was not only enough to claim the junior victory, but comfortably put the young rider within the top ten overall. Local rider Gilles Grant (Forres CC) and Josh Wilson (Inverness CC) claimed the silver and bronze.
Junior Female
New team Solas Cycling have been very active in the junior ranks on the track over the winter and have been continuing that form on the road with two of their riders chasing the junior female victory.
Isla Easto (Solas Cycling) was just outside the 24-minute mark, with her 24:10 enough to claim the gold medal, and was the third quickest female time across the day. Teammate Molly Evans (Solas Cycling) came home to claim the silver medal on the road bike.
Full Results (when available) | Image Gallery
A massive thank you to Elgin Cycling Club for hosting the championships and to the team of volunteers and officials for making Sunday’s racing possible.
The next time trial championships is the 50-Mile Champs in Rossshire on the 2nd June. You can enter here.