Tour of Flanders
The fifth edition of the Youth and Junior De Ronde took place on Sunday in Oudanaarde in West Flanders, with nine Scots heading over to Belgium for a memorable weekend.
Melanie Rowe (camsmajaco) rode a superb sixth in the Under 19 (Junior) event. The Scottish rider won the Under 17 edition twelve months ago in wet conditions, but an excellent showing in her first junior Ronde would place the Aberdeenshire native in the top ten across the 75km of brutal Flemish hellingen.
The Under 17 riders were representing Scotland, as part of a Scottish Cycling Performance Camp, in the heartland of cycling.
The 53km race ended in a reduced bunch sprint, Welsh rider and double Youth Tour of Scotland winner Aisling Charlesworth (Wrexham CC) claimed the win, with Millie Boothman was the top Scot finishing in 13th in a field full of international talent. Olivia Poole (riding for Specialized Youth RT) finished further back in 17th place.
Strong rides too from Zara Main and Izzy Barbour – finishing mid pack, with Lucy Sweeney just outside the time-cut.
While there was no Ronde for the Scotland boys, a three-man team travelled the short distance to Moorsele for Monday’s omloop round the West Flanders town.
Josh Stewart had a strong effort in the breakaway under the 33 degrees sun. However it would be Henry Sharp that would come home top Scot in 13th place – a great effort in the conditions.
Photo: T.W Photography
SXC
The sun was shining in Angus as Crombie Country Park played host to round two of the Scottish Cross Country Series on Saturday.
Ross Morris (Perth United) would take the elite win after six tours of the parkland loop, Gary MacDonald (Nevis Cycles) rode to second place, with Sam Kettlewell (TAAP Kalas) in third. Naomi Metcalfe would claim the female win.
Scotia Offroad’s Ross Easthaugh impressed again to take the junior win, from Euan Murphy (Ythan CC) in second and Thomas MacRae (Deeside Thistle) in third. Isla Cant (West Highland) would win from Eleya Mold (Glasgow Riderz) and Zoe Blyth (Scotia Offroad RT) in the junior female field.
Wilfred Pugh (One Life Racing) won the exciting Youth race from Scotia’s Ross Allan, by a mere four seconds, with Zach Buchan (Pentland Racers) rounding off the podium. Falkirk Junior Alexander Mullen won the juvenile race from Sam Kingan in second in a sprint to the line, with Angus Dowens in third.
In the youth female racing, it would actually be juvenile Lily Cant (West Highland) that would be the fastest rider on course t0 take the U14 win. Top youth honours would go to Emie Smith (Stirling BC), from Mairi Dowens (West Lothian) with Ella McQueen (Falkirk Junior BC) in third. Eilidh Coutts (Edinburgh RC) and Boo Williams (Royal Albert CC) would round out the juvenile podium.
Next up is the Scottish National Championships in Chatelherault in Hamilton on the 21st June. Enter here.
Scottish Regional BMX
Broadwood BMX Track played host to a double header of the Scottish Regional Series. 82 riders travelled to North Lanarkshire for the sunny weekend of racing.
Check out the full results here:
Road Events
Ythan CC played host to the inaugural Carol Middleton Women’s TT – a 10-mile time trial in Pitmedden, name in remembrance of their late club member. It’s great to see over 30 entries for the time trial in Aberdeenshire.
Ahron Dick (Edinburgh Bike Fitting) claimed his second win of the season at the Jack Campbell Mem. Road Race in Strathaven, organised by Royal Albert CC.
Tim Shoreman (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli) claimed a stage win and the points jersey at the Rás Tailteann in Ireland.
Pump Track
Following on from support from Scottish Cycling, the first round of Aberdeenshire pump track series was held last week at the Haughton Park Pump track in Alford. 45 riders took part in the event organised by Deeside Thistle and Friends of Haughton Park – the first of its kind in the North East.
A massive well done to all the riders who took part, there was a great atmosphere and smiles all around despite the unseasonably cold and showery weather for May. The next round will be held in the coming weeks.
Stay tuned on our Upcoming Events page.