L’Enfer
The first road event of the new season went ahead in a driech West Lothian Cycle Circuit, with the L’Enfer du Linlithgow.
The day’s racing saw a time trial prologue was followed by a criterium round the circuit. Of course, with it being Openings Weekend, it included an excursion over the cobbles on the circuit.
It was a battle of youth versus experiences in the senior open event, with local rider Fraser Gemmell (Spokes Racing Team – Oscar Onley Dev.) claiming the victory, from veteran campaigner James McCallum (Pedal Power RT) with Colin Johnston (Spokes Racing Team) rounding off the podium. Johnston had actually won the criterium, but it would be Gemmell’s prologue exploits that would give him the overall honours.
Gemma Mitchell (FTP-Fulfil The Potential-Racing) won overall in the female race from Eva Murphy (Liv CC – Halo Films) in second and Kasey Park (Solas Cycling) rounding off the podium.
In the Youth races, there were victories for Josh Stewart (Harrogate Nova RT), Alexander Mullen (Falkirk Junior BC), Sarah McCormac (Edinburgh RC) and Oliva Laing (Southport CC). Massive thank you to the commissaires, volunteers and officials for their support – and to Edinburgh Road Club for organising.
You can find full results here.
Round 1 of the Alba and Scotia Road Race Series takes place on 28 March at Gifford, you can enter that here.
Pic: Alistair MacDonald
Strathallan Castle
The final cyclocross race of the winter was held at Strathallan Castle with the third and final round of the Superquaich Series.
Deeside Junior rider Emma Campbell claimed the victory by over two minutes – to take both race and series honours on Sunday. Nadine Reilly (Trilogy CC) claimed second just ahead of Vanelli’s Helen Winton. Winton would take second in the series, with Aileen Lang rounding off the podium in third.
In the open race, Richard McDonald (Vanelli-Project GO) won out by over a minute in the open race, with Grant Scott (Ronde CC) in second, and Deeside’s Neill Scott in third. McDonald’s race win and fastest lap, was enough for the Scottish Masters Champion to take the overall series by a single point from Grant Scott. Jackie Chan (Andrew Allan Architecture) finished in third place overall.
With that our coverage of the winter’s cyclocross action is at an end, but make sure to stay tuned to our social media for some really exciting updates very soon.
BUCS
Derby was the host venue for the British University and Colleges Track Championships, with a number of the brightest Scottish riders testing their mettle against students from England and Wales.
Scottish medallists included Sam Barbour (University of Glasgow) and Millie Thomson (University of Stirling) who claimed points race silver and bronze, respectively.
Full results will be uploaded here.