Just after 11am on Saturday morning saw the first wave of riders set off from the start line to contend with three laps of a 32.5km loop around the ironically still Whitelee Windfarm.
The key move would come halfway through the opening lap – with pre-race favourite Cameron Mason (Seven Racing), launching clear with Scottish road race champion – Sam Chisholm (Team HUP) and the newly minted circuit champion Aaron King (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli) both in tow.
The trio would work together on the second circuit, with a sizeable gap on the chase group of around three minutes. However, loose gravel on one of the sharp bends would lead to the Perth rider sliding out and prematurely ending his race.
The final 40 kilometres would be an-all Linlithgow fight between Mason and Chisholm. The West Lothian duo stuck together and extended their lead over the chase group that included Barnaby Walkingshaw, James McCallum (META Bike Division) and Scott Meldrum (Edinburgh Bike Fitting).
Coming into the final kilometre, it was set to be a sprint between the two young riders to take the national honours, Mason was able to utilise the recent sprint training to good effect and hold-off a cramping Chisholm by a wheel to take the victory and become the first Scottish National Gravel Champion.
Seven minutes behind, the battle for third ensued with Walkingshaw powering away from the field for the final step on the podium, five seconds ahead of McCallum – who’s sprint to fourth place would be enough to take the Masters 40 title. Further back in the group Jackie Chan (Andrew Allan Architecture) crossed over to take the Masters 30 victory.
In the day’s second wave of racing the Masters 50 and 60+ would be decided, Gary McCrae (Leslie Bike Shop) crossed over first to take the 50 title, while the 60+ riders raced two laps of the course – it was Kenny Riddle (Moray Firth) taking victory.
The female race would start 30 minutes after the open field, and the top ten or so riders would stick together throughout the opening lap.
As the race entered the second tour Caroline Livesey (Team Xhale) and newly-minted Scottish circuit race champion Rebecca Saunderson (Studio Velo) forced themselves clear. At the halfway mark, Livesey managed to distance her fellow escapee and head into the final lap with a 1 minute 30 second advantage over Saunderson.
A strong showing in the final lap would secure Livesey’s title. The triathlete-cum-cyclist would finish five minutes ahead of Saunderson – who produced an excellent ride for second. Livesey would also take the Masters 40 title for her efforts. Lauren Johnston (Hervelo) was the third eligible rider over the line – and for her efforts claimed the Masters 30 title. Moray Firth’s Lynne Cordiner rode well to take the Masters 50 title.
Congratulations to all the riders that made the finish, and thank you to all the volunteers for making it possible – of what was a great day of racing (despite the midgies) at a fantastic venue.
Elsewhere
Ellon hosted its annual town centre circuit race – held by Ythan CC – as part of the Scottish Youth Circuit Series.
Edinburgh RC’s Micah Myles won out in the Youth A Open race from Xander Graham (Grit Cartel), with Fraser Gemmell in third. Josh Stewart (SteppingStanes) was the top Youth B from Alexander Mullen and Thomas MacLoed.
Izzy Barbour (Edinburgh RC) won the sprint to take the Youth A female top honours from Ava Luce (Deeside) and Eve Fairbairn (Discovery Junior); with Johnstone Wheelers’ Eilidh Scally winning the Youth B event from Emma Nicholson and Isla Reekie.
Sticking in the ‘Shire, Brodie Duncan (West Lothian Clarion) won out at the Jolibar Trophy from Hamish McLaren and Tyler Clare.
Tim Shoreman (Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli) nearly caught the break at the Beaumont Trophy but came home second at the National Road Series event. Read more about that here.
Junior rider Struan Shaw (Tofauti Everyone Active) impressed again to finish in ninth on the final stage of the Ronde des Vallées Juniors in France. While Youth rider Andrew Levinson (Edinburgh RC) would win out at the Youth race in Haasdonk in Flanders.