Scottish Cyclocross Series - Round 5, Steven Lyle Memorial 'Cross

Sat 15th November '08, Beath Academy, Cowdenbeath, Fife
Report: Andy Wardman
Pics: John Myerscough

Round 5 of the Scottish Cyclocross Series, The Steven Lyle Memorial organised by Sandy Wallace Cycles was held at a new venue, Beath Academy in Cowdenbeath, Fife. And what a venue for 'cross! Ample parking, changing and showers, canteen open for business after the race and lots of scope for a great course.

Above: Tough, draggy climbs and slick descents in the open field part of the course

The course itself was tough but fun and had a bit of everything. Fast grassy bits, lumpy strength sapping climbs across open field, tarmac paths, slick muddy descents, twisty sections through the trees, stream crossing and even some widely spaced steps to ride down. Things were made even tougher by the presence of a strong headwind on the first half of the course, though overall the weather gods were on our side with sunshine and blue skies for much of the day.

Above: Youth race start line

Race 1 - Youths, 11am

Ten riders lined up raring to go with 25 minutes plus 1 lap of racing ahead of them. Michael Butcher made the quickest start and had soon opened a gap up on the chasers, led by Charles Fletcher. Looking smooth and strong, Butcher continued to extend his lead throughout the race to comfortably take the win, his first of the series. Behind, Fletcher took second place with Callum Chirnside rounding out the podium in third. Louise Borthwick rode a great race to finish fourth overall and also first in the girls race, ahead of Rebecca Leith in second.

Above: Michael Butcher leading the youths on his way to victory 

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

A healthy field of 50 riders took to the start line for the Open Race. From the gun Iain Nimmo got the holeshot into the first turn on the start loop. A surge by Rab Wardell put him in the lead going into the first section of singletrack, closely followed by James Fraser-Moodie. Wardell continued to apply pressure at the front opening a gap up on Fraser-Moodie, who in turn had a small gap on the rest of the field.

Above: Rab Wardell out front early on with Fraser-Moodie chasing;

Fraser-Moodie was clearly enjoying the course though and had soon bridged back up to Wardell, before taking the lead himself. Behind Iain Nimmo, Andy Wardman and Paul McInally were battling it out for third spot. By the mid-way point, Fraser-Moodie had extended his lead further with Wardell alone in second. McInally had dropped back from the battle for third spot, leaving Nimmo and Wardman to dual it out. Unfortunately an untimely puncture for Nimmo a few laps later meant a trip to the pits and the loss of a few places.

Above: The bunch charges towards the first section of singletrack just after the start of the Open race

Out front Fraser-Moodie continued to ride strongly and came home to comfortably win his third race of the series. Wardell took second, with Wardman coming in a little while later for third. Iain Nimmo battled back following his puncture, overhauling McInally to take fourth spot and also first in the Vets category. Steve Nicolson came in a very respectable seventh in the open race, good enough for second in the Vets, with James Melville putting in another strong ride to take third place.

Above: Fraser-Moodie takes the lead just ahead of Wardell

Looking super strong all race, Anja McDonald continued her winning ways in the Women's category, taking her fifth win of the series. Eileen Roe took second with Kate Turner coming home in third, in her very first cyclocross race. Bravo! Andrew Leith notched up his third win of the Series in the Junior category with Scott Paterson taking second.

Above: Anja McDonald riding super strong on her way to victory in the women's category

IslaBikes U12's races

15 youngsters lined up for the final event of the day, the www.islabikes.co.uk U12's race, including 10 from the Carnegie Cyclones club. Split into three age categories with staggered starts, riders faced 2 laps of a shortened version of the main course. Local rider Cameron Mellis came home first in the U8 boys with Zoe Nicholson winning the U8 girls. Fast starting Jamie Willoughby took first place in the U10's category with Joe Nally in second and Andrew Merry in third. Kurt Walker was first girl in the U10's.

In the U12's a great wee battle ensued between Rory Mellis and Connor Nally, with Nally taking the win by just a couple of seconds in an exciting finish. Etienne Sadeghpoor took third whilst Katherine Angus came home first in the U12 girls.

Above: Tricky grass descents led to some interesting moments for many riders

Well done to everyone who took part, especially with the tough headwind to contend with. 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 .

Prize Giving

With the canteen open serving hot food and drinks, many riders and spectators stayed on to share stories from the race, chat 'cross and watch the prize giving. First up were the U12's. Sandy Wallace Cycles (www.swc.co.uk) supported the race with the winner of each category receiving a trophy and all riders receiving a medal and a big cheer from the crowd.

Finally, presentations were made for the Youths and Open Race, with the podium places in each category receiving prizes kindly provided by Endura clothing (www.endura.co.uk).

Race Pics

Lots of excellent pictures from the race are up at: Flickr

This year these fine folk are supporting the Scottish Cyclocross Series:

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

Seniors, Juniors & Vets
1 James Fraser Moodie Pedal Power (Snr) 10 laps
2 Rab Wardell Sandy Wallace Cycles (Snr)
3 Andy Wardman Velo Club Moulin (Snr)
4 Ian Nimmo Squadra Porcini (Vet) !st Vet
5 Paul McInally Rock & Road Cycles (Snr) @ 1 lap
6 Greg Walker Edinburgh Road Club (Snr) @ 1 lap
7 Steve Nicholson Dunfermline C.C. (Vet) 2nd Vet @ 1 lap
8 Steve Couper Dunfermline C.C. (Snr) @1 lap
9 James Melville Glasgow United (Vet) 3rd Vet @ 1 lap
10 Gary McCrae Pedal Power (Snr) @ 1 lap
11 Tom MacDonald Lomond Roads (Snr) @ 1 lap
12 Neil Scott Angus Bike Chain (Vet) @ 1 lap
13 Alan Quinn Glasgow United (Vet) @ 1 lap
14 Jon Meredith Telly Savalas Players (Snr) @ 1 lap
15 Kenny Kentley Velo Ecosse (Vet) @ 1 lap
16 Stephen Sheridan Glasgow Ivy C.C. (Snr) @ 1 lap 
17 Anja MacDonald Velo Club Moulin (Wmn) !st Woman @ 1 lap
18 Mick Nally Dunfermline C.C. (Vet) @ 1 lap
19 Gordon Dickson Rockhard (Vet) @ 2 laps
20 Mike Milne Angus Bike Chain (Vet) @ 2 laps
21 Chris Duncan Velo Club Moulin (Vet) @ 2 laps
22 Andrew Leith Discovery J.C.C (Jnr) 1st Junior @ 2 laps
23 Scott Russell Walkers Cycles (Vet) @ 2 laps
24 Matt Cutler Glasgow Ivy C.C. (Vet) @ 2 laps
25 Keith Stocker Unattached (Snr) @ 2 laps
26 Ken Thomson Dunfermline C.C. (Vet) @ 2 laps
27 Gordon Dorman Bellahouston (Vet) @ 2 laps
28 Eileen Roe Swift Racing (Wmn) 2nd Woman @ 2 laps
29 Ian Wilson Deeside Thistle (Vet) @ 2 laps
30 Martin Steele Velo Club Moulin (Snr) @ 2 laps
31 Michael Keeley Stirling B.C. (Snr) @ 2 laps
32 Chris Marquis Telly Savalas Players (Snr) @ 2 laps
33 Oliver Samphier Velo Ecosse (Snr) @ 2 laps
34 Kate Turner Sandy Wallace Cycles (Wmn) 3rd Woman @ 2 laps
35 Davie Graham Glasgow United (Vet) @ 2 laps
36 Maddy Robinson Edinburgh Road Club (Wmn) @ 2 laps
37 Shelley Farrar Deeside Thistle (Vet Wmn) @ 3 laps
38 Jim Jackson Dunfermline C.C. (Vet) @ 3 laps
39 David Waddell Sandy Wallace Cycles (Snr) @ 3 laps
40 Andrew Allan Sandy Wallace Cycles (Snr) @ 3 laps
41 Julie Nimmo Walkers Cycles (Wmn) @ 3 laps
42 Jay Burgess Stirling B.C. (Wmn) @ 3 laps
43 Scott Patterson Sandy Wallace Cycles (Jnr) 2nd Junior @ 3 laps
44 Fraser Merry Walkers Cycles (Vet) @ 4 laps
45 Tom Bishop Dunfermline C.C. (Vet) @ 4 laps
46 Will Wilson Sandy Wallace Cycles (Vet) @ 6 laps

DNF Julie Watson Sandy Wallace Cycles (Vet Wmn)
C. Doig Bike Blairdam (Snr)
Jac Strachan Velo Club Moulin (Wmn)
Brendan Roe Leslie Bikes (Vet)

 

Youths & Juveniles
1 Michael Butcher Sandy Wallace Cycles Ist Youth
2 Charles Fletcher Cairngorm 2nd Youth
3 Calum Chirlside Discovery 3rd Youth
4 Loise Borthwick Edinburgh Road Club 1st Juvenile
5 Tom Arnstein Carnegie Cyclones 2nd Juvenile
6 Francis Webb Edinburgh Road Club 3rd Juvenile
7 Neil Patterson Sandy Wallace Cycles
8 Rebecca Leith Discovery
9 Nick Hunter Edinburgh Racers

School Children
1 Jamie Willoughby Drumlanrig 1st Peewee Boy
2 Rory Mellis Carnegie Cyclones 1st Sprog Boy
3 Connor Nally Carnegie Cyclones 2nd Sprog Boy
4 EtienneSadeghpoor Carnegie Cyclones 3rd Sprog Boy
5 Katherine Angus Carnegie Cyclones 1st Sprog Girl
6 Joe Nally Carnegie Cyclones 2nd Peewee Boy
7 Cameron Mellis Carnegie Cyclones 1st Mini Peewee Boy
8 Andrew Merry Discovery 3rd Peewee Boy
9 Lewis Butcher Sandy Wallace Cycles
10 Alistair Merry Discovery
11 Scott Salmond Carnegie Cyclones
12 Timothy Arnsein
13 Gavin Laffoley Carnegie Cyclones
14 Kurt Walker Carnegie Cyclones 1st Peewee Girl
15 Zoe Nicholson Carnegie Cyclones 1st Mini Peewee Girl