Cameron Mason went into Sunday’s men’s elite race following an interesting week. Leading through much of the midweek Superprestige in Middlekirke on his way to finish fourth was the latest evidence that the four-time British Champion’s form is there or thereabouts.
Mason had a sluggish start, falling into the rear of the mid pack off the start but built a solid performance from there. Sitting in 24th at the end of the first of nine tours, the West Lothian native was driving the third grouping of riders – with a leading group of eight, followed by a dozen further up the course.
Sitting at around 25 seconds back, Mason was able to hold pace with the leading group in front and picked off riders one-by-one as they struggled to hold pace; clawing back seconds where possible. The legs were clearly there, matching the leaders pace, rising from 24th to 10th within four laps, before producing the fastest lap of the weekend on the seventh lap to join the battle for the medals and come withing touching distance of the Belgian duo Wysere and Nys ten seconds out front.
Heading into the final lap Mason faced Niels Vandeputte, Kevin Kuhn and Joris Nieuwenhuis in the battle for bronze. Nothing could break the elastic in the group over the lap, with the medals to be decided in the sprint. Coming into view of the finish, the Scot looked to fade, having burnt many matches in his excellent recovery ride and would have to be content with sixth place.
Two Scots were making their major championships debut in the junior ranks.
Xander Graham rode well throughout, sitting at a consistent tempo on the course to finish in 26th place in Sunday’s junior men’s event, the best of the Brits in the race. In the junior women Olivia Poole would perform equally as well, finishing in 28th on debut in the Netherlands. Very creditable performances from both Scots as first years at this level.
While at the second round of the Lloyds National Trophy Series in Pontypool, Josh Stewart (Harrogate Nova) claimed the Under 16 victory after a great battle for the win, with Falkirk Junior Gregor McNaught finishing in third place in Wales. Stewart and McNaught are now first and second in the overall series.
The first Monsters of Track event took place at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow on Saturday, with some quality racing.
Entries for the Scottish National Track Championships – which include both Masters Individual and Youth Team Pursuits for the first time – close this Sunday. Enter Here
