UCI MTB World Series
Mont-Sainte-Anne in Quebec was the venue for the final round of the 2024 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, with the Scots in action.
Downhill
Phoebe Gale (Canyon CLLCTV) scored a fourth place in the Women’s Elite finale in Quebec, as Sunday’s finalists advanced to face a course cloaked in mist at the top before some brutal rock gardens that proved decisive in the lower half, and the rain that began to spit as the first senior riders rolled off the start ramp only added to the jeopardy.
Fort William’s Louise-Anna Ferguson (Intense Factory Racing) looked in contention as the third-last rider to go, the technical specialist staying in touch early on but then came unstuck with a costly crash in the latter stages of her run.
However, Gale was able to deliver a great run in the final, to come home fourth, and finish sixth in the overall standings – rounding off a great debut season at Elite level.
However, it wasn’t to be for Angus’ Heather Wilson (Muc-Off Young Guns) as she went head-to-head against UCI Downhill World champion, Erice Van Leuven. The duo entered the women’s junior final separated by only 45 points with the series on the line.
Wilson hit the deck twice in her run as the juniors struggled to stay upright across the board on the slippy track, and Van Leuven scorched down the trail to win the day by almost five seconds, and the overall title by 60 points.
It has however been an excellent breakthrough season for the Forfar native, exploding on to the scene with a home win in Fort William, and pushing all the way for overall series honours. We certainly can’t wait to see what 2025 has to offer.
Cross Country
Charlie Aldridge (Cannondale) produced an epic ride in the Quebecois forest to climb through the pack to finish fourth in the Elite Men’s Olympic event on Sunday evening.
Mont-Sainte-Anne, in Quebec, is renowned for being one of the most technical UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup venues around, featuring Downhill-worthy descents and terrain suited to an all-out Enduro event. The difficulty was ramped up even more for Sunday’s season finale though – cold and damp conditions making every root and rock in the forested sections extremely slippy.
The Scot battled his way in the chase group to enter a battle for the podium places, after finding himself 17th at the end of the first lap.
Eventually, there was a scrap for third with Aldridge battling with Victor Koretzky and Simone Avondetto. Aldridge appeared to have the advantage after attacking on the final long climb but was surpassed by his French rival on the line.
A fourth place for Aldridge to supplement what has been an excellent first full season in the elite fields. The Crieff man said afterwards:
“It was savage but a great way to end the year! In the American block I’ve never finished better than 22nd so fourth is a pretty good way to end the year. I nearly got third, so I’m hungry for more! I want to be in the top three next year!”
In the Women’s Elite race, Isla Short (Ghost) was in action, with another solid performance to come home in 29th place in Quebec.
Gravel World Championships
Several Scots travelled to Belgium to take part in the UCI Gravel World Championships, with both the elite and age-band championships taking place in Leuven.
Cameron Mason made a strong start in the Men’s Elite, but tired in the latter stages to come in 68th place.
While on Saturday, Jo Thom rode to an exceptional fourth place in the Women’s 40-44 category in the Brabant Forests.
National Trophy
Derby saw Round 1 of the British Cyclocross National Trophy this weekend, with Scots making the journey down south to race.
The was a strong ride from HUPcc Scottish Cyclocross Series leader Lewis Martin (Studio Velo) coming home in sixth in the senior open event.
In the Juniors, there was a brace of fifth place finishes from the Scotia Offroad RT duo of Innes McDonald and Freya Mowbray.
Story of the day, however, came from Josh Stewart (Stepping Stanes) who bounced back from a nasty crash on the start line in the Under 14 race to take the victory in Derby. In the Under 16 race Olivia Poole (Deeside) finished third in her first race in the new age group.
Student Hill Climb Champs
Logie Kirk in Stirling was the venue for the Scottish Student Sport Hill Climb Championships on Saturday. Congratulation to the Edinburgh Uni duo of Angus Toms and Amelia on taking the Student victories.
Congratulations on the team at Stirling Uni for delivering such a great event.
Abroad
Alfie George (SCO-Dijion) claimed an excellent victory at the prestigious Gran Clássica Modest Capell in Catalonia. George was part of the key selection of six riders that contested the win, which the Scot was able to take in the sprint.
The CRO Race has became a bit of a staple of the Road calendar post-World Champs and 2024 was no different with three Scots in action.
Sean Flynn, who recently extended his deal with dsm-firmenich PostNL, finished 13th overall, as a by-product of his leadout work for sprinter Lund Andersen. While teammate Oscar Onley was supporting the team after a monster effort last week in Zurich, with Calum Johnston (Caja-Rural) also in the field in Croatia.