Ronde van Vlaanderen Youths
Aberdeenshire’s Melanie Rowe (Shibden-Apex RT) triumphed in Oudenaarde after an impressive 20-kilometre solo breakaway.
Under a grey sky, the U17 women gathered at 9:00 a.m. under the starting arch for their 53 km race. The wet cobblestones of the Holleweg caused chaos as early as the first lap, with a crash breaking the peloton into pieces.
Mid-race, a lead group of around thirty riders formed, gaining a 40-second advantage over the fragmented peloton. The first real selection in that group came during the second ascent of the Achterberg, around 20 km from the finish. On the descent, two-time Scottish champion Melanie Rowe broke away. She quickly created a gap and soon had a 10-second lead.
At the foot of the Varent climb, with 13 km to go, Rowe’s lead had grown to 30 seconds over the chasing group, where no effective counterattack emerged. In the descent of the Wolvenberg, Home rider Lentel Huys attempted a last-ditch attack, but her effort was neutralized. The powerful Rowe didn’t give an inch and extended her lead even further. In the final kilometre, the skies opened up, but the rain did little to deter the determined Rowe.
A full minute ahead of the rest, Rowe raised her arms in a triumphant solo victory.
The former Ythan and Deeside rider said afterwards:
“I wanted to split it up but I didn’t want to go solo, but when I had the gap I just gave it a go and kept on it!”
“I’m used to racing in the rain since I’m from Scotland, but I’m not used to racing on cobbles. This kind of racing is so much better suited for me than back in the UK.
Struan Shaw (Tofauti Everyone Active) would come 25th in the Junior edition of the race.
Andrew Matheson
Pic: Charles McSherry
William Taylor (Moonglu SpatzWear) took a breakthrough solo victory at Saturday’s Andrew Matheson Memorial Road Race, powering away from the rest of the break on the final rise to the line in Humbie.
The race, organised by Musselburgh RCC, formed the second round of the Alba Road Race Series, with Taylor joined by James Sawyers (Cycling Sheffield) and Ross Turner (Leadout Performance) in the key move.
The trio would have an advantage over two minutes on the peloton, but Taylor would attack in the final kilometre to take the win. Sawyers and Turner held on for second and third respectively
SXC
A blustery Beecraigs in West Lothian was the venue for the latest round of the Scottish Cross Country Series.
Billy Reed, currently staying in Scotland, won out in the senior open from Lewis Martin in second and with Grant Ferguson (Hope FR) in third. In the female field, Grace Norman (Jadan Vive le Velo) won from Marie Meldrum with Daisy Wilkinson (Scotia Offroad RT) the best junior.
The Youth races would be won by Gus Lawson (Pentland Racers) and Mairi Dowens (West Lothian), with Josh Stewart (SteppingStanes) and Emie Smith (Stirling) taking juvenile success.
UCI World Cup
The Czech Republic was the venue for the latest UCI MTB XC World Cup round.
Charlie Aldridge (Cannondale) finished fifth in the Short Track on Friday, before mechanical misfortune would befall the Crieff rider on Sunday. A snapped chain on lap one would leave the Scot playing catch-up, but a number of fast laps would see the Scot bounce back into a midfield finish. Isla Short recovered well from a crash and a mechanical to come home 42nd place, again producing some of the fastest laps on the course. While, Grace Inglis came home just behind in 48th.
Tour of Japan
Mark Stewart (Vini Fantini-Solution Tech) continued his Japanese exploits over the past week at the Tour of Japan. An excellent ride from the Dundonian saw the Scot take fourth in the overall general classification.
A second place after a breakaway on the stage to Iida set up for a strong general classification placing. An excellent climbing performance on the ridiculously tough 66km stage, finishing atop Mt. Fuji, would see Stewart finish sixth on the stage and fourth overall.
BMX
Ruby Warren (Western Titans) claimed a brace of victories at the British BMX Racing Series double-header in Manchester over the weekend.
You can check out the full results here
Le Festival International de la Piste
Calum and Iona Moir were in action in France at the Velodrome in Hyères on the southern tip of the France.
There would be two visits to the podium for Iona in the sprint events. An excellent third place in the keirin would be swiftly followed up by second place in the sprint event.
Calum would ride to eighth in the Omnium against a stacked field for a UCI Class 2 event.
French racing
It was an excellent weekend for Adam Mitchell (Vendée-U) claiming a brace of wins at the Trophée Gustave Beignon on Saturday, before following it up at the Tour de Brissac on Sunday. While Alfie George claimed second overall at the four-day Essor Breton race.