Gallagher's Glenrothes 'Cross

Scottish Cyclocross Series - Round 6. Glenrothes 'Cross
Sun 16th November '08, Riverside Park, Glenrothes, Fife
Report: Andy Wardman
Pics: Sue Melrose

Anja McDonald with Eileen Roe on her wheel

For Round 6, the Scottish Cyclo-Cross Series headed to a classic and well-loved venue, Riverside Park in Glenrothes, Fife. Racers and spectators love the course here thanks to its fast and flowing nature which ensures the racing is always close and exciting throughout the field.

A well stocked feed zone!

This year the course was for many the best yet. The grassy sections stayed nice and firm, the hard packed trails that form much of the course were as fast rolling and fun as ever and the super steep set of steps were replaced by a longer, gentler set (but which still hurt just the same!). A new extended start loop also did a great job of spreading the riders out before hitting the course proper.

Davie Graham leads Sandy Wallace

For many riders this was their second race of the weekend, having also competed in Round 5 of the Series the previous day at Cowdenbeath. And for the second day running, the weather gods were smiling on us as blue skies and sunshine prevailed.

Race 1 - Youths, 11am

The line up for the start of the Youth race

23 riders lined up for the Youths race with 25mins plus 1 lap of racing ahead of them. From the gun Patrick Galbraith was fasted away and first time up the steps led a few seconds ahead of the field.

The Youth race on the steps

Over the next couple of laps Grant Ferguson was able to move up and gradually reel Galbraith in, before passing him and creating a small gap around the mid race point. Behind Lewis Kirkwood, Charles Fletcher and Ryan Fenwick were locked together in a close battle for third position.

Action from the Youth race

Ferguson continued to ride strongly and smoothly at the front to comfortably take his fourth win of the Series. Galbraith rode well to take a fine second place, whilst behind Kirkwood managed to jump clear of his rivals to take the final podium spot. Hannah Ferguson rode a great race to take the win in the girl's race ahead of Louise Borthwick in 2nd and Yuka Gallagher in 3rd.

Race 2 - Senior Men/Women/Vets/Juniors, 12 noon

The start of the Senior race

48 riders took to the line for the start of the Open race. From the gun, Kenta Gallagher got the holeshot into the first turn, closely followed by Iain Nimmo and Andy Wardman. As the course swung through the start/finish and back uphill to complete the start loop, these three had opened up a small gap on the rest of the field.

Patrick Galbraith leads the charge up the steps on the first lap

At the end of lap 1 Gallagher, Nimmo and Wardman led through a few seconds ahead of Paul McInally followed by the Pedal Power duo of James Fraser-Moodie and Gary McCrae. A crash by Wardman on the next lap meant it was Nimmo and Gallagher alone at the front with McInally chasing hard a few seconds back as they came through to start Lap 3.

Wardman, leading, Nimmo and Gallagher, early in the race

Nimmo and Gallagher stayed glued together at the front for several subsequent laps, growing their lead on the rest of the field, before a bobble on the steps by Nimmo gave Gallagher a gap. From here, Gallagher, a first year Junior, was able to extend his lead coming home to win in very impressive style just over a minute ahead of Nimmo, who took a well deserved 2nd place. Just under 20 seconds later, McInally came in to take 3rd place - a great ride, especially considering most of it was spent riding solo in 3rd spot.

Nimmo, leading, and Gallagher locked together at the front

In the Women's race Anja McDonald put in another great ride to take her sixth win of the Series and second of the weekend. Eileen Roe chased hard all race and came close to catching McDonald, coming in just 8 seconds back for 2nd spot. Maddy Robinson rounded out the podium in 3rd. Jay Burgess was 4th and Sarah Mitchell 5th.

Gary McRae remounts at the top of the steps

Iain Nimmo's fine performance in the Open race also gave him the win in the Vets category. Behind James Melville took 2nd ahead of Kenny Kentley in 3rd. Kenta Gallagher's victory in the Open race also landed him the win in the Junior category. The two leading riders from the Youth race, Grant Ferguson and Patrick Galbraith finished 2nd and 3rd respectively in the Juniors - impressive rides given it was their second race of the day!

Kenta Gallagher claims an impressive win

IslaBikes U12's races

The IslaBikes U12's races were the final event of the day on a shortened but still very fun course. A staggered start ensured plenty of space for riders of different ages. In the U12's race an exciting dual between Rory Mellis and Connor Nally (both Carnegie Cyclones) ended with Mellis just pipping Nally for the win. Duncan Raity took 3rd spot whilst Catherine Angus finished 4th and also first girl.

Connor's younger brother Joe Nally, won the U10's race ahead of Lewis Mulholland, who took a tightly contested sprint finish ahead of Callum Shackley. In the U8's Robson Brown and Blair Roberts made it a 1 - 2 for Glenrothes with Andrew Leinster close behind in 3rd.

A very well done to everyone who took part. All will be entered into a draw at the end of the series where one lucky winner will receive a new bike very kindly donated by www.islabikes.co.uk, who make some of the most well thought out kids bikes available.

Prize Giving

A fantastic spread of sandwiches, cakes and hot drinks awaited riders, spectators and officials at the prize giving. Thanks to Leslie Bike Shop (www.lesliebikeshop.co.uk) and John McCaffrey Roofing for kindly donating several prizes, which were well received by riders.

All in all it was a great race on a superb course, brilliantly organised by the hosting club, Kirkcaldy and District CC. A special thank you to Alan Solway who was marshalling at the turn onto the bridge for his fantastic encouragement to all riders as they passed by - it really fired us on!

Race Pics: Lots of excellent pictures from the race taken by Sue Melrose are up at: Flickr

Round 7 - Irvine 'Cross, 23rd November
Riders are in for a special treat for Round 7 as the series heads west to Irvine on the Ayrshire coastline. The good folk at Walkers Cycling Club have a plotted a great course next to the beach! Sand will likely be a feature! All the details are at www.scottishcyclocross.com

This year these fine folk are supporting the series. Please support them:
www.bontrager.com | www.endura.co.uk | www.islabikes.co.uk | www.bikelove.co.uk | www.glengormcastle.co.uk | www.swc.co.uk | www.hardie-bikes.com | www.cycle-aid.co.uk |

Results

Senior, Junior, Women, Vets

1 Kenta Gallagher 777 Racing J 1.03.59
2 Iain Nimmo Squadra Racing V @1.05
3 Paul McInally Rock and Road Cycles S @1.23
4 James Fraser Moodie Pedal Power S @1.41
5 Andy Wardman VC Moulin S @1.54
6 Gary McCrae Pedal Power S @2.59
7 Greig Walker Edinburgh RC S @3.46
8 Steve Couper Dunfermline CC S @5.12
9 James Melville Glasgow United V @1 Lap
10 Kenny Kentley Velo Ecosse V @1 Lap
11 Steve Nicholson Dunfermline CC V @1 Lap
12 Tom McDonald Lomond Roads S @1 Lap
13 Grant Ferguson Dooleys Cycles J @1 Lap
14 Patrick Galbraith Velo Ecosse J @1 Lap
15 Steve Sheridan Ivy CC S @1 Lap
16 John McLaggen Perth City cycles S @1 Lap
17 John Ascroft Unattached S @1 Lap
18 Mick Nally Dunfermline V @1 Lap
19 Simon Muir Bicycle Works S @2 Laps
20 Alistair Dow Bicycle Works V @2 Laps
21 John Meridith Telly Savalas Players Club S @2 Laps
22 Anja McDonald VC Moulin L @2 Laps
23 Greig Brown Glasgow Nightingale J @2 Laps
24 Tim Darlow Edinburgh RC S @2 Laps
25 Eileen Roe Swift Racing L @2 Laps
26 Graham Gauld Deeside Thistle V @2 Laps
27 Ed Shackley Ivy CC V @2 Laps
28 Neil Raitt Angus Bike Chain V @2 Laps
29 Michael Keeley Stirling Bike Club S @2 Laps
30 Andrew Leith Discovery Juniors J @2 Laps
31 Martin Steele VC Moulin S @2 Laps
32 Oliver Samphier Unattached S @2 Laps
33 Dougie Cameron VC Moulin S @2 Laps
34 Davie Graham Glasgow United V @2 Laps
35 Spencer Holmes Unattached S @2 Laps
36 Sandy Wallace Sandy Wallace Cycles V @2 Laps
37 Maddie Robinson Edinburgh RC L @3 Laps
38 John Gallagher  Stirling Bike Club V @3 Laps
39 David Waddell Sandy Wallace Cycles S @3 Laps
40 Mark Williamson VC Moulin S @3 Laps
41 Fraser Merry Unattached V @3 Laps
42 Martin Mulholland Johnston Wheelers V @3 Laps
43 Keith Leinster VC Moulin S @3 Laps
44 Jay Burgess Stirling Bike Club L @3 Laps
45 Andrew Taylor Drumlanrig V @4 Laps
46 Martin Harris Angus Bike Chain V @4 Laps
47 Sarah Mitchell Johnston Wheelers J/L @4 Laps
48 Will Wilson Sandy Wallace Cycles V @5 Laps

 

Youth
1 Grant Ferguson Dooley's Cycles  
2 Patrick Galbraith Velo Ecosse  
3 Lewis Kirkwood Glentress Riders  
4 Charles Fletcher Cairngorm CC  
5 Ryan Fenwick Stewarty Wheelers  
6 Greg Brown Glasgow Nightingale  
7 Scott Lyndsay Edinburgh Sports Academy  
8 Ross Green Stewarty Wheelers  
9 Jack Taylor Drumranrig  
10 Gavin Mathews Edinburgh Racers  
11 Callum Churnside Discovery Juniors  
12 Stuart McCluskey Glenmarnock Wheelers  
13 Tom Arnstein Carnegie Cyclones  
14 Cameron Kilgour Edinburgh Sports Academy  @1 Lap
15 Hannah Ferguson Glentress  
16 Louise Borthwick Edinburgh Road Club  
17 Yuka Gallagher 777 MTB Racing  
18 Stuart balfour PCC  
19 Jenna Fenwick Sterwarty Wheelers  
20 Stuart Lindsay Edinburgh Sports Academy  
21 Joe Evans Edinburgh Racers  
22 Rebecca Leith Discovery Juniors CC  
23  Nick Hunter Edinburgh Racers  

 

Under-12
2 Conor Nally Carnegie Cyclones  10.03
3 Duncan Raity Discovery Juniors CC  11.21
4 Catherine Angus Carnegie Cyclones  11.27
5 Cameron Aidan Wallace Warriers  11.27
6 Kyle Perkins Carnegie Cyclones  11.32
7 Alistair Merry Discovery Juniors  12.02
8 Gavin Laffoley Fife Century Road Club  13.35

 

Under-10
1 Joe Nally Carnegie Cyclones  11.06
2 Lewis Mulholland Johnstone Jets  11.20
3 Callum Shackley Glasgow Riderz  11.20
4 Andrew Merry Discovery Juniors CC  11.56
5 Cameron Mellis Carnegie Cyclones  12.02

 

Under-8

1 Robson Brown Glenrothes  6.12
2 Blair Roberts Glenrothes  6.25
3 Andrew Leinster Newton  6.55

 

Veterans
1 Iain Nimmo Squadra Racing  1.05.04
2 James Melville Glasgow United  @1 Lap
3 Kenny Kentley Velo Ecosse  @1 Lap
4 Steve Nicholson Dunfermline CC  @1 Lap
5 Mick Nally Dunfermline  @1 Lap
6 Alistair Dow Bicycle Works  @2 Laps
7 Graham Gauld Deeside Thistle  @2 Laps
8 Ed Shackley Ivy CC  @2 Laps
9 Neil Raitt Angus Bike Chain  @2 Laps
10 Davie Graham Glasgow United  @2 Laps
11 Sandy Wallace Sandy Wallace Cycles  @2 Laps
12 John Gallagher  Stirling Bike Club  @3 Laps
13 Fraser Merry Unattached  @3 Laps
14 Martin Mulholland Johnston Wheelers  @3 Laps
15 Andrew Taylor Drumlanrig  @4 Laps
16 Martin Harris Angus Bike Chain  @4 Laps
17 Will Wilson Sandy Wallace Cycles  @5 Laps

 

Women

1 Anja McDonald VC Moulin L 1.09.40
2 Eileen Roe Swift Racing L @8 sec
3 Maddie Robinson Edinburgh RC L @1 Lap
4 Jay Burgess Stirling Bike Club L @1 Lap
5 Sarah Mitchell Johnston Wheelers J/L @2 Laps

 

Juniors
1 Kenta Gallagher 777 Racing J 1.03.59
2 Grant Ferguson Dooleys Cycles J @1 Lap
3 Patrick Galbraith Velo Ecosse J @1 Lap
4 Greig Brown Glasgow Nightingale J @2 Laps
5 Andrew Leith Discovery Juniors J @2 Laps
6 Sarah Mitchell Johnston Wheelers J/L @4 Laps

 

Timekeeper:  Alastair Speed
Judge:  Bill Dunscombe