Scottish Cyclo-Cross Round 1

Single Speed of Montgomery Is Quick Enough!

Scottish Cyclocross Series - Round 1
Sun 5th October '08, Bannerman High School, Glasgow

Report: Andrew Wardman

For the second year running, clear blue skies and sunshine greeted riders and spectators at opening round of the Scottish Cyclocross Series. A new and well received venue in 2007, Bannerman High School again served up a cracker of course even the Belgians would have been proud of. Fast sections, muddy sections, super slick off camber turns, plenty of tight 180 turns, steps, music in the pit area - this course had it all, even a sand pit section!

The Youths get things underway in brilliant sunshine

First up was the Youths race. After a frenetic start, Grant Ferguson had worked his way up to the front of the field by lap 2 and soon had a gap. From here he never looked back and gradually increased his lead to win comfortably. Behind the battle for the remaining podium positions was a close fought affair with several riders in contention. Michael Butcher rode a strong race to pull away for 2nd with Angus Gillies in 3rd.

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Mid race action from the senior event

By now the course had chewed up nicely in places for the start of Race 2. Here Senior's, Vets, Women and Juniors all lined up together. From the gun Gareth Montgomery was straight to the front. Riding a singlespeed 'cross bike didn't seem to be slowing him much as he soon opened up a gap on a chasing group of 4 riders.

An early casualty was one of the pre race favourites Craig Hardie who had to bow out due to a mechanical. Behind Montgomery, last year's series winner Paul MacInally and fast vet Iain Nimmo put on a great show for the crowd, battling together for much of the race until MacInally was able get a gap with a quarter of the race to go. Alone at the front, Montgomery rode consistently well all race, and received a big cheer from the crowd as he crossed the line to take the win. Behind, MacInally took second, whilst Nimmo had to settle for 3rd after a tangle with another rider in the sand pit put paid to any chances of him catching MacInally.

Nimmo's 3rd place also secured him the win in the Vet's category. Behind, Allan Quinn rode a strong race to take 2nd with James Melville not far behind in 3rd.

Eileen Roe, centre, in the thick of the action early in the race

In the Women's race Eileen Roe led from the start and put in a strong performance to comfortably take the win. Maddy Robinson took 2nd whilst Sion Tovey rounded out the podium in 3rd. Andrew Leith won the junior race.

Nearly 30 youngsters took part in the final race of the day, the IslaBikes U12's race. Jamie Willoughby took the win in the boy's race with Rory Mellis 2nd and Aiden McAleenan in 3rd. Catherine Angus won the girl's category with a great ride that also placed her 4th overall. Monica Anderson came in 2nd with Flora Gillies not far behind in 3rd. It was great to see so many kids having a go at 'cross and as a way of encouraging this, every rider who enters an U12's race during the series, will be entered into the hat to win a bike, kindly provided by IslaBikes.

Podium: (L to R) McInally, Montgomerie, Nimmo - and Montgomery in action

Next up is Round 1a on Sun 12 October at a new venue for 2008, Glenmore Lodge near Aviemore. It's a stunning location and UK's most northerly 'cross race this year! Organised by Velo Club Moulin, riders are in for a treat with traditional 'cross style course and even the possibility of some snow! All the details are at www.scottishcyclocross.com Finally, thank you to our lovely sponsors for the 2008 Series:

Post Race Rider Reactions

Seniors

Gareth Montgomery, winner: "I rode on my singlespeed as I've lost my STI's and thought it would be muddy". "If I can get a bike with gears together, yeah, will do some of the National Trophy rounds and I'm also going to do some more of the Scottish Series races. Need some beer now!"

Paul McInally, 2nd: "I've been looking forward to 'cross season starting for months!" "I loved the course, though it took a while to get into it. To get away from Iain I had a dig on the flat part of the course then rode hard for the next couple of laps to grow the gap. Gutted to be beaten by a guy on a singlespeed, but can't argue as he's a top rider. Can't wait 'till the next one!"

Iain Nimmo, 3rd and Winner of Vets: "Had a pretty good race - once the gap opened, I didn't have enough just now to close the gap then got tangled up in the sandpit with another rider! Going home to lighten my bike and do some training!"

Post race lollies for the men's podium

Jon Meredith, 15th: Commenting on a mid race crash and resulting large graze down his leg he noted: "The crash was quite exciting - I gave my pound of flesh to the course!"

Women

Eileen Roe, winner: "It was a hard but good, Belgium style circuit. This was my first 'cross race of the season - I'm planning to do more of the Scottish Series and hopefully some of the National Trophy rounds."

Maddy Robinson, 2nd: "Brilliant! My first race of the 'cross season - hard work and slidy, needed crampons for the hills rather than shoes!"

Results (provisional)

Senior/Vet/Women/Junior
1 Gareth Montgomerie 13 laps Colnago Ergon S
2 Paul McInally Rock and Road S
3 Iain Nimmo Squadra Porcini S
4 Andy Wardman Velo Club Moulin S
5 Colin May ERC S
6 Stevie Couper Dunfermline S @ 1 lap
7 James Melville Glasgow United V
8 Steve Nicholson Dunfermline V
9 Stephen Sheriden Glasgow Ivy S
10 Alan Quinn Glasgow United V
11 Tim Darlow Edinburgh RC S
12 Andrew Leith Discovery JNR J
13 Sean Clarke Pedal Power S
14 Michale Nally Dunfermline V
15 John Meredith Telly Savalas Players Club S
16 Chris Duncan Velo Club Moulin V @ 2 laps
17 Alistair Dow Bicycle Works V
18 Tom McDonald Lomond Roads S
19 Guto Williams East Kilbride Road Club S
20 Davie Graham Glasgow United V
21 Colin Bain S
22 Paul Murray Glasgow United V
23 Scott Russell Walkers Cycling V
24 Simon Muir Bicycle Works S
25 Richard McDonald S
26 Eileen Roe Swift Racing W
27 Adam Griffiths V @ 3 laps
28 Martin Steele Velo Club Moulin S
29 David Pritchard Dumfries V
30 William Burgess Stirling S
31 Maddie Robinson ERC W
32 Sian Tovey W
33 Steve Lockhart Walkers Cycling S
34 Jac Strachan Velo Club Moulin W
35 Julie Nimmo Walkers W
36 Jany Burgess Stirling W

Top Three's (full results to come)
Youth Male
1 Grant Ferguson Dooleys Cycles
2 Michael Butcher Edinburgh Sports Academy
3 Angus Gillies Peebles CC

Senior Men
1 Gareth Montgomery Colnago Ergon
2 Paul MacInally Rock and Road
3 Iain Nimmo Squadra Porcini

Senior Women
1 Eileen Roe Swift Racing
2 Maddy Robinson Edinburgh Road Club
3 Sion Tovey

Junior Men
1 Andrew Leith Discovery CC
2 Scott Foreshaw Glasgow Ivy

Vet Men
1 Iain Nimmo Squadra Porcini
2 Allan Quinn Glasgow United
3 James Melville Glasgow United

U12 Male
1 Jamie Willoughby Drumlanrig
2 Rory Mellis Carnegie Cyclones
3 Aiden McAleenan Sandy Wallace Cyclones

U12 Female
1 Catherine Angus Carnegie Cyclones
2 Monica Anderson Falkirk Juniors
3 Flora Gillies Peebles CC