Cyclocross World Cup
Tabor in Czechia was the venue for the first round of this season’s UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup with Cameron Mason (Seven Racing) looking to add to his impressive start to the season.
Extremely cold conditions would face the riders, with ice rather than the soft mud being the surface that riders would have to worry about; however with potential overtures to the 2030 Winter Olympics in mind its something we will continue to see more throughout the coming seasons.
Mason got off to the worst possible start, with a collision with the metal fencing slicing the Scotsman’s tyre and relegating him to last place, over a minute behind leader Thibaut Nys, after a lengthy run to the pits for a bike change.
Mason would however bounce back, overtaking riders lap by lap.
The British Champion consistently remained as one of the five quickest riders on course throughout the final five laps of racing, despite having to navigate his way through the field.
Much of his race was outwith the eye of the TV cameras, but the Edinburgh-based rider rose from 41st at the end of lap one, to 31st and 23rd in the succeeding laps before ending up in 14th with three tours to go. Sensible riding would see Mason rise to 11th at the start of the final lap, in a group of riders about 1 minute behind the Belgian race leader.
Coming round the final corner, Mason would be battling with Toon Aerts in a sprint for eighth place, with the Scot just unable to come over the top of the Flemish rider and take an incredibly hard fought ninth place. In the end just 37 seconds behind race winner Nys.
Watch the highlights below
Gent Six Day
One of cycling’s most historic event is the Gent Six Day – with Mark Stewart travelling over to Flanders to compete in the madison event.
The Dundonian, racing with Belgian partner Tom Crabbe, would finish in seventh place overall after the final day of racing last night but that wouldn’t be the full story.
The duo would consistently win the 500m time trial and the time trial lap – taking all six race wins in the time trial and four out of six wins in the fastest lap competition.
Not a bad return in the week where it was announced that Stewart will be racing on the road for Modern Adventure Pro Cycling next season.
In the U23 event, Elliot Speedie was also racing – with the espoir coming home in seventh place with partner Dan Thompson across the week.
Scottish National Championships
A freezing cold and wet Sunday saw West Lothian Cycle Circuit host the Scottish National Cyclocross Championships, with plenty of exciting and tough racing across the categories.
Read the report here.
Check out the photos here.