Women’s CiCLE Classic
Eilidh Shaw (Alba Development RT) was doing the National Champions jersey proud, with her second-place finish at the Anexo/CAMS CiCLE Classic. The recent wet weather had abated for Sunday afternoon’s British National Road Series opener, but its effects were on display on the farm roads of Leicestershire.
The offroad sectors resembled that of a Belgian cyclocross race than Italian strade bianche as the peloton headed for loops of the trails and roads that make up that part of England.
Eventually, the field of 119 was whittled down to around 26 dirt-draped riders with Alba Development RT well represented, with the other British UCI teams also showing their strength in numbers.
Shaw was at the front of the race as the front group splintered into a lead group of 12, where she was joined by teammate Amelia Tyler and fellow Scot Morven Yeoman (DAS-Hutchison-Brother UK).
On the run back into Melton Mowbray, the group of a dozen would fight it out for the victory, with Eluned King (Lifeplus-Wahoo) narrowly outsprinting Shaw, with Amelia Tyler taking fifth place and a strong ride from Morven Yeoman in seventh.
Fellow Scots in the top 20 included Kim Baptista (Torelli) in 14th place, Beth Morrow (Alba Development RT) came home behind in 15th place despite falling out of contention after a crash that saw her in a ditch in the closing stages. Lulu Barlett (Jadan Vive le Velo Glasdon) came home in 20th place.
An excellent first outing of the season for Alba RT with their strength in numbers in the final selections delivering them the lead in the Teams classification in the National Road Series.
The first female road race of the Scottish season takes place with the Glasgow Nightingales’ Lake of Menteith APR on Saturday 30th March. Entries are still open here
Junior CiCLE Classic
It was a fantastic 1-2 for the Scots in the Junior Open CiCLE Classic on a dreich Sunday morning. Ahron Dick (HUUB BCC Race Team) scored a stunning victory earlier in the day, catching lone leader and former teammate Milo McIntosh (The Cycling Academy) on the line.
Coming into the race, Dick had planned to attack on the second passage of the Somerberg, and it didn’t take long for his efforts to pay off. A group of 20 riders went clear, before four riders, led by Tinsley, countered, and gained a small advantage.
On the final circuits around Melton Mowbray, two Fensham Howes-MAS Design riders attacked. Dick marked the move and the trio made the bridge to the leaders with one lap to go.
As they made the junction, McIntosh went clear on his own and looked to have sealed the win, before Dick jumped clear of the chasers in pursuit. The two riders were locked in a battle, but Dick came around a fading McIntosh in the final 50m, taking the win on the line and raising his hands in celebration.
Gifford Road Race
The opening round of the Alba Series took place in East Lothian on Saturday as Edinburgh RC’s Gifford Road Race.
An early break went on the sporting course, consisting of Alex Luhrs and Will Taylor (Moonglu RT), the duo were joined by Tom Martin (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli), who bridged the two minute gap between the peloton and the leaders.
Not content with a sprint finish, Martin continued pilling on the pressure, with a flurry of attacks, each time chased down by his companions out front. The elastic was stretched, however, with Martin able to power away from Luhrs, in second, and Taylor, third, on the final climb to the line to take the win – and the series lead.
SXC Series
Cathkin Braes played host to Round One of the Scottish Cross Country Association Series on Sunday.
A strong field faces up to the series opener, and it was little surprise that World U23 Champion Charlie Aldridge (Cannondale FR) claimed the victory in the Open event. The Crieff native will be aiming for Paris Olympics this summer and produced a very strong ride to open his account.
Stepping up from the junior ranks this year is Reuben Oakley (Rotor RT), he impressed throughout last season, and his senior debut was rewarded with a second-place finish; ahead of Scottish champion Lewis Martin (Studio Velo) in third.
Grace Inglis (Muckle CC) was a rider than impressed throughout the winter on the cyclocross bike, making her debut and claiming a bronze at the British champs, and there’s little doubt that form continued through to spring.
Inglis claimed the Female victory in style with a dominant win, from Elena McGorum (Peebles CC) in second and Joanne Thom (Torq Performance) in third.
Innes McDonald (Scotia Offroad RT) produced a very strong performance to claim the junior open victory. In the youth events, Oliver Carter and Daisy Wilkinson claimed the victories; while in the Juvenile categories Zach Buchan and Emma Hall won out.
Scottish Hour Record
Congratulations to Andy Bruce (Vanelli-Project GO) who broke the 28-year-old Scottish Hour Record on Sunday. He set a distance of 47.523km on the Emirates Arena track, beating Jim Gladwell’s record from 1996 of 46.65km.
Jim was on site to congratulate Andy on breaking his record, as was Scottish Cycling President Kathy Gilchrist.
You can watch his effort back here
Tissot Nations Cup
Michael Gill was in action with Great Britain squad as the Olympic qualifying series – the Tissot Nations Cup travelled to Hong Kong.
Gill was part of the developing Team Pursuit squad that came home in sixth place – with a mix of young and experienced riders making the squad, as the eyes will turn to focus on Paris.
Monaco GP
The streets of Monte-Carlo saw a circuit race take place over the weekend, fortunately, it was one of the two wheeled variety.
Stirling’s Logan Maclean (Project1 RT) claimed the victory, with Alex Ball claiming fourth place.
Trofeo Alfredo Binda
Arabella Blackburn (Great Britain) was part of the Junior Great Britain squad that delivered a 1-2 finish at the Trofeo Alfredo Binda in Italy, with the Scot coming home in 22nd place.
Dorpenomloop Rucphen
In the Netherlands, it was a taste of continental racing for Callum Thornley (Trinity Racing) who produced a solid ride to finish 22nd at the UCI 1.2 Dorpenomloop Ruchpen.