The sun was shining on a beautiful Sunday morning on the Angus coast, as Arbroath played host to the Scottish Olympic and Youth Time Trial Championships, organised by Discovery Junior CC.
Arianne Holland (Handsling-Alba) produced a fabulous effort to take the top step of the podium.
A strong effort on the flat saw the Scottish Road Race silver medallist catch two of her minute riders on the opening stretch of road from Arbroath to Montrose.
The Pithie climb was a short and not-so-sweet kick upwards – coming 20km into the shortened 33km course – it would be pivotal for riders chasing success before the fast and rolling roads that went past Friockheim and towards the finish just outside Arbroath.
Holland said afterwards of her effort:
“It was really good fun, it was good course, with the rolling terrain and the steep climb is, which is where I could really push on and gain time.”
Behind, North Argyll’s Alison Roger produced a sterling effort to take the silver medal.
After a lengthy recovery from an accident last year, it was great to see Christina Mackenzie (Stirling BC) make a return to racing, and with it taking an excellent bronze medal.
Oban’s Matiss Robertson has come close on several occasions in Scottish National Championships in recent years but has never stood on the top step of the podium.
A change in position and weight managed to work wonders for the RT23 and North Argyll rider with a sterling effort of 45:42 – which was enough to claim his maiden Scottish title.
He said afterwards:
“It was very painful, the last half of the course was all single-track so you have to concentrate. I did recce the course yesterday so knew where to put the power down but really pleased with the numbers I rode to – the Olympic was a target of mine.”
Local rider Lee Rosie (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli) from just up the A92 in Stonehaven would come home to take silver – just 25 seconds behind Robertson. Ray Wilson (GTR-Return to Life) would ride to a solid third place with a time of 46:36.
The junior open title went to Fraser Anderson (Vanelli-Project Go), with Eric Till taking silver. Deeside Thistle’s Eva Murphy – fastest on the road bike today – was also the top female junior.
A late course alteration delayed the start by ten minutes but the racing kicked off in the morning with our Youth Championships – the young riders rode an abridged course, which did not take in the Pithie climb – of around 13km.
Xander Graham (Grit Cartel) was looking to add time trial to his circuit race medals from a fortnight ago – and the youngster promptly delivered – with a time of just under 19 minutes for the course, Cillian Sweeney (Discovery Junior CC) taking silver.
In the Youth B, Leo Mullen (Royal Albert CC) won out, while Danny Farrell (Edinburgh RC) claimed silver.
Sarah McCormac (Edinburgh RC) won the Youth B title from Royal Albert’s Boo Williams and Discovery’s Elodie Dempster.
A massive thank you to Martin Harris and the team at Discovery Junior CC and RT23 for organising the double header of championships on a glorious Sunday morning in Angus – and to the volunteers, timekeepers and officials team for their hard work in supporting the event.
Full Results – Olympic | Youth
Next up is the Scottish National 10-mile Time Trial Championship on Sunday 7th September in Invergordon: Enter Here