Cicle
Alfie George would leave a strong Scotland team home after a roasting day at the Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic with a strong ninth place finish.
Scottish National Champion Logan Maclean attacked early on and swept up the King of the Sprints competition, Maclean would foster a sizable lead in the early stages. However a Parkhotel-Vaulkenberg led peloton would prevent the Stirling rider from adding to his lead, and would reel the attack in as the race hit the first of the unpaved “sectors”
The race would break apart, with Scotland’s Charlie Aldridge and Aaron King riding well in the main bunch to keep sprinter Alfie George out of trouble. A crash behind would hold up Will Taylor, who would try to chase back on to the main bunch over the first of three passes of the infamous Somerberg. The second break of the day would see many of the larger teams represented and would hold on through the final sectors – around a minute clear of the vastly reduced bunch.
Coming into the start and finish town of Oakham, the break would stay clear to take the win, with the second group of the road hosting both George and King – the Tayside duo setting up for the sprint. George would come home second in the sprint to the line – claiming another UCI top ten. Fellow Scot riding for Wheelbase, Tim Shoreman, would take tenth – with King coming home in 16th place. Post race Maclean would make a trip to the podium, having won the aforementioned sprint competition.
Abroad
Sticking with road racing action, Kate Richardson (Handsling-Alba) would score a fine brace of podiums in Belgian Kermesses this week, underlining her return to the top of the sport after an injury ridden couple of years since her breakthrough. Meanwhile, Struan Shaw was racing in Spain for his team Tofauti Everyone Active, contesting two national races. In the first of those, the Gran Premio El Baruco, Shaw would make the winning break only to be taken down by one of his breakaway companions on a roundabout! Showing great resilience he would get back up and battle to a impressive ninth place.
Mountain Bike
It may no longer hold World Cup status, but the annual Fort William downhill gathering still took place, this time under the guise of the iXS European Downhill Cup. Strong crosswinds in the upper part of the course and light continuous rain made for challenging conditions, the jump sections in particular became a lottery due to the wind. Nevertheless, the riders delivered a highly exciting finale, and I t was a familiar face leading the charge, Mikayla Parton top Scot in the Elite Women’s competition, coming home in sixth, with Beth McCully (Team Creation Cycles) also in the top 10. In the Elite Men’s race it was Reece Wilson (AON Racing) leading the way in ninth.
In the U19 category, Heather Wilson (AON) would take a podium spot with a great ride in third, with Stan Nisbett (AON) matching that in the male equivalent.
On the smaller bikes, the British Cycling National Cross Country Series continued with round two down at Margam Park in Wales, where there was further Scottish success. Innes McDonald (SORT) was once again on outstanding form as he finished a close second in the Junior Open, whilst also finishing sixth in the combined Senior/Junior XCC (short track). The only Scot to fair better was Olivia Poole (Deeside Thistle) who scored double delight, winning both the XCC and XCO in the Youth Female category. On the open side, Guy Rorke (Pentland Racers) was second in the Juvenile, with Gus Lawson (Pedal Power RT) third in the youth event. Daisy Taylor (Royal Albert) was the leading senior rider, seventh in her first year in the Elite Female category.
Omnium
On the track, Fraser Gemmell (West Lothian Clarion) made the trip to Wolverhampton for the latest round of the British Youth Omnium Series where he made a trip to the podium in third. Back home the first Sprint RACE National session took place under the watchful eye of Scottish Cycling Sprint Coach Ryan Lateward, with riders from the successful Sprint Start programme joining for the first time.
Gie it a Go
For those just starting out their racing journey’s, there was plenty of grassroots action over the last week, with the return of the Glentress Dirt Crits, Pump Track action at Zetland Park and an Edinburgh RC Dirt Crit too – find out where your nearest opportunity is here. On the road, the Richard Moore Youth Race Series got underway at West Lothian Cycle Circuit with some brilliant racing and a guest appearance from Callum Thornley, who this week signed a World Tour contract with Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe!