Tour of the Lowther

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Super Six round 6; From Callum Gough
Tour of the Lowther (Scotland)When one of the pre-race favourites Evan Oliphant warms up by playing Flower of Scotland on the bagpipes during the race briefing you know that something special is brewing. And very special it was as two riders,  Rab Wardell (KUK Kinesis) and Robin Wilkins (Stirling Bike Club/Wheels of Callandar) shot out of the trap like greyhounds. Behind it was carnage as echelons formed like Japanese fans putting riders at maximum clinging on for dear life. Attack after attack came and went after the fleeing pair until eventually the string snapped and two groups moved away in pursuit. The two groups merged and chased after the two-up train that was not giving up the lead without a fight. With Wilkins having his eye on sealing the Super six overall series KOM by winning the two early KOM primes and Wardell “steaming” this was going to be some chase.  By the end of lap 1, the two had barely 45 seconds but Wardell used his MTB bike handling skills to great effect and dropped down the “red carpet ride” like a stone. Touching 55mph and with Wilkins visibly scared to death but hanging on like a dog to a postmans leg they opened the gap to 1 minute. The NEG outriders hesitated even to pass the flying pair such was the speed on the descent. Behind the chasing group was also flying with James McCallum driving the group to greater efforts and they in turn increased the gap to the peloton. The chasing group contained four Endura riders (Gary Hand, Evan Oliphant, David Lines and James McCallum), Mathew Kipling (KUK Kinesis), Alister Kay (York Cycleworks) Ashley Finn (Herbal Life Wheelbase), Paul Rennie (Dooleys RT), Andrew Guy (SIS.COM) Alex Coutts (Heraklion), Ben Greenwood (Rapha Condor) Colin Humphry (Team Sports Cover) and a surprise package in 3rd category comeback rider Chris Whittle from Deeside Thistle.  With Kipling having the only excuse to sit on, it was expected that this group would soon eat into the lead of the flying duo. The opposite was true as Wardell and Wilkins came through with two to go still with a 1 minute lead intact and the Enduras looking at each other in disbelief that the gap was not closing. Such was the speed of this chasing group that it was constantly splitting and re-forming.Finally on the long headwind section, the chasing group started to make headway but this was no easy closure. Wardell and Wilkins would not surrender and even at 30 seconds would not give in. With the chasing group buckling under the pressure it was phenomenal stuff to watch. At last, the junction was made and would this then ease? No chance as attack after attack came from all the main protagonists with the combination of who was in the split being worked out and decisions made to chase or wait. For the individual riders this was like a game of chess trying to get in the right combination with the Endura escapees and for Endura it was a case of attack until it explodes and explode it did with Rennie blowing a gasket. In amongst this fray, the amazing Wardell punctured and returned to the break with incredible speed. In the end it was a Mexican standoff with a gallop up the long uphill finish. With Endura setting it up for Hand and Oliphant, it was a massive effort by Hand that took him clear for a two handed salute to the crowd from Kipling and Oliphant. One of the best fields assembled for a race this year in Scotland had not disappointed. Hands win also confirmed him as overall series leader and the brave efforts of Wardell earned him the Jason Macintyre memorial award as most aggressive rider.In the B event Graeme Cockburn (Glasgow Nightingale) won the bunch gallop for the win in a tight sprint with Ciaran Dougherty (East Kilbride). Graham Barclay (Team Leslie Bike shop) was third and first overall in the over 50+ category on the day.  Graham Scobie (Pedal Power RT) won the Jason Macintyre memorial award as most aggressive rider.

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