Whilst we’re sad it’s over, there are so many amazing memories that will last a lifetime, none more so than our Race The Worlds finals.
Given the next generation of Scottish Cycling stars the opportunity to compete on the same stage as their idols, and climb onto the very same podiums, was truly special. We hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did.
Our highlights videos from each of the four disciplines really given a sense of just how awesome each event was, in it’s own unique way. From the city centre in Glasgow, to the famous Fort William Downhill track, we certainly had a blast putting on four great events.
Full results can be found on each of the event reports below:
Mini Downhill
Scotland’s rising stars took to the trails of the Nevis Range – adjacent to the course that their idols would race down later in the day – with 60 riders from across Scotland fighting it out for a special Santini Race The Worlds jersey.
The riders were awarded their medals and prizes on the UCI World Championship podium – being the first riders crowned champions on the biggest stage of all. There was also a bonus for the top two riders of each category – Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16 – with the Scottish Downhill Association inviting each of the riders to join their performance academy for 2024.
Road Crit
Less than 24 hours after Mathieu van der Poel raised his arms in the air to the acclaim of the cheering crowds on George Square, Scotland’s best young riders got the opportunity to do the same.
The image of Erin Boothman (East Kilbride RC), a name to watch in the years to come, crossing the line in a near identical finishing salute to van der Poel, was the perfect metaphor that summarises just how powerful our Race The Worlds series is when it comes to inspiring the next generation.
Dirt Crit
Race The Worlds Dirt Crit finalists put on a show for the friends, families and spectators who came down to watch them fight it out on the trails of Glentress Forest.
With the best Scottish U12, U14 and U16 riders qualifying for the finals, it was a real display of determination, speed, skill and passion, as the riders got to tackle sections of the World Championship course, before the top three in each of the six categories got to stand on the World Championships podium just an hour before the Elite riders did!
Just how bright the future is was demonstrated in the final race of the day, which combined the U14 & U16 Girls, as British champion Olivia Poole (Deeside Thistle) swapped her British bands for our special Santini Race The Worlds jersey, and stood on the most impressive podium of her flourishing career so far.
Pump Track
What a way to finish our Race The Worlds series, with none other than Danny MacAskill joining us at Cathkin Braes to present medals and the winners jerseys!
Pump Track racing is a new discipline for us at Scottish Cycling, but with lots of new pump tracks popping up all over the country, many of them thanks to the Cycling Facilities Fund, we have a feeling it’s a discipline that’s only going to grow in years to come, and provides a new entry point into the sport.
Just like our other finals, there was some impressive talent on show, as riders showed off their skills.