UCI World Cup
The latest round of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series took place in Les Gets over the weekend, with Scots in action in both the Downhill and Cross Country events.
Downhill
Heather Wilson (Muc-Off Young Guns) claimed her third World Cup win of the season. The Angus rider topped the timing sheets in qualifying with a very strong ride on Friday, but the treacherous conditions on Saturday forced the organisers to cancel the junior final.
According to UCI regulations, the result from the last qualifying round determines the final standings for the round, which gave the Scot the latest win and keeps her in contention in the overall standings.
The Elite riders, fortunately, were able to race their final on Saturday, in some horrific conditions.
Lou Ferguson (Intense FR) looked set for a storming time but slid out near the closing stages of her final run, however, such were the conditions and the effect on the riders – her time was still good enough for sixth place.
Phoebe Gale (Canyon CLLCTV) suffered a similar fate, clipping a barrier and coming off on the mid-section of the course – the Scot continued and came home in eighth.
Cross Country
Charlie Aldridge (Cannondale FR) was in action on the other side of the resort, competiting in the Short Track and Olympic events.
It was a cracking start to the weekend for Aldridge scoring a second place in the Short Track on Friday, in a thrilling race, where he was only bested by Alan Hatherly – who claimed both wins.
In Sunday’s Olympic event, Aldridge rode well despite the slippery track from the previous day’s downpour and came home 18th place, continuing his preparation for the Paris games in just three weeks’ time.
Grace Inglis (Saint Piran) was also in action in her third World Cup of the season, riding to a solid 42nd place in Les Gets.
British Youth Circuit Champs
A number of Scots travelled down to Cyclopark in Kent for the British Youth Circuit Champs.
Elliot Speedie (Edinburgh RC) rode to a strong eighth in the Youth A ranks with Zach Barbour (West Lothian Clarion) just a few places further back. It was eighth too for Deeside’s Melanie Rowe in the female event, rounding off a strong series from the Aberdeenshire rider. Zara Main (Deeside Thistle) came fourth in the Youth B event.
British BMX Series
The final two rounds of the British Cycling National Series took place in Birmingham at the weekend, with some strong performances from the Scots.
Some of the racing highlights included:
Harrison Bell (Western Titans) in Sunday’s Superclass final finishing sixth. Bell has finished the season 11th place in the superclass category in his first season at elite level, and is also the youngest rider in the category.
Eilidh Watson (Cumbernauld Centurions) made the Final in the Female 14’s both days, crossing the line second and third, respectively. Watson has finished the season third in the Female 14’s.
Alexis McCartney (Cumbernauld Centurions) made the semis on Sunday, crossing the line in fifth putting her into the B Final where she finished second. The Centurion has finished the season ninth in the Female 15’s.
Read the full results here.
The Scots will now fine tune their preparations ahead of the British Champs next weekend in Derby.
Scottish Vet RR Champs
Callum Sharp (Veloclub Edinburgh) and Charlene Hamilton were the big winners at the Scottish Veteran Road Race Champs in Aberdeenshire, organised by Velocita Coaching RT.
Read the full results here.
Sam Robinson RR
Glasgow Nightingales CC once again delivered an excellent Sam Robinson Memorial Road Race in the Trossachs.
Alex Ball (Project1) claimed the victory from Finn McHendry (The Cycling Academy), with Hamish MacLaren taking third place on Sunday, after the trio attacked early in the race up the Dukes Pass climb, extending their lead all the way to the finish.
Tour de France
You may have noticed that the Tour de France is in full swing, especially after yesterday’s stage.
Oscar Onley (Team dsm-firmenich postNL) has made it to today’s first rest day, despite a small incident on Stage 8. He’ll be supporting his teammates and looking for stage hunting opportunities as the race enters the Pyrenees this week.
Sticking in France, there was an excellent result for Adam Mitchell (Vendeé-U) in the Tour de Piemont Pyrénéen. The Scot claimed the Stage 1 victory and his team won the TTT on Stage 2, as the Scot claimed the Points Jersey at the French elite race.