The kersteperiode saw British Champion Cam Mason (Seven Racing) back to his very best. Mason claimed his best World Cup result to date with a fifth place in Hulst. A cracking ride in the Dutch mud which saw the Scot plough through the field having been back in around 25th place at the halfway point. The final three laps saw Mason as the fastest rider on circuit – finishing within a minute of winner Niels Vandeputte.
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Image: Spectra Racing (Anna Flynn Pictured)
Eighth on Boxing Day in the World Cup in Gavere would be followed by 13th in Loenhout and a strong 11th place in the night cross in Diegem to round off 2024.
The new year has started strong with three strong performances, eighth at the GP Sven Nys in Baal was supplemented by a ninth in the Superprestige in Gullegem.
Sunday’s World Cup ride in the quagmire of Dendermonde saw another fantastic fight through the field from the Linlithgow man. Despite a trio of punctures leaving Mason down in 27th place at one point, the British Champion was able to ride (or more accurately run) past the field to secure another excellent finish – in ninth – right on the wheel of European Champion Thibau Nys.
Mason goes into next weekend’s British Championships off the back of his most consistent form – with five top tens in his past eight races and seven placings in the Top 15.
Scottish champion Anna Flynn (Spectra Racing) enjoyed a solid trident of racing in Belgium, a 21st place in the Elites in Loenhout was backed up with 22nd in Diegem before the Edinburgh rider started 2025 with another Top 30 ride in Baal.
Stonehaven’s Arabella Blackburn was too in action in the junior World Cups in Hulst, Zonhoven and Besancon with an excellent 15th place ride in France.
On her second day of racing in Belgium, young rider Olivia Poole (Deeside Thistle) claimed a fantastic win in the youth race at the Superprestige event in Gullegem on Saturday.
Images: Gordon Scott
Battle of the Bing
Scotland’s first event of 2025 was the Battle of the Bing in Linlithgow with Reuben Oakley claiming an excellent win, having recovered on a long-term respiratory issue, with Sam Chisholm (HUPcc) coming home in second place. Neil Scott rode to third.
Ishbel Strathdee came home as the first female rider, after coming home 29th in the A Race.
National Trophy
The snow in the North of England cancelled Sunday’s racing in Bradford at the National Trophy round but Saturday’s youth racing went ahead.
In the Under 14 event, Josh Stewart (SteppingStanes) rode to a strong second place with Sam Kingan (Pentland Racers) in seventh place. In the girls’ race Eilidh Scally (Johnstone Wheelers) came home in eighth place.
Brandenburg Sprint Cup
A trio of sprinters went over to Frankfurt-Oder in Germany for the Brandenburg Sprint Cup. It was a strong weekend for junior sprinter Sarah Johnson with two golds medals in the Sprint and Keirin.
While in the seniors Ellie Stone claimed silver in the sprint competition, with Kirsty Johnson finishing fourth and beating home rider Pauline Grabosch in the quarter finals.
The elite keirin saw Stone finish in a solid fifth with Johnson winning the minor final to come seventh.
All-in-all a strong weekend from the sprinters to round off 2024.