Published: 08 December 2013
Event: Foxlake, Dunbar, 8th December 2013
On a fast and flowing course at Foxlake, near Dunbar, the Tri Centre hosted the Scottish Cycling National Cyclocross Championships, which saw two of the youngest Scottish Cyclocross Champions crowned in the Senior categories.
Starting from the third row of the grid, Great Britain Olympic Development Programme rider Iain Paton (Ben Wyvis CC) worked hard to break away with a group of three others; Davie Lines (MG-Maxifuel), Sean Clark and Paul Newnham (Team Leslie Bikeshop). With four riders and only three podium spots, competition was fierce and as the pace picked up the pack began to split. Within two laps, the young Paton had pulled 15 seconds clear, and by the next time through the arena he was some 45 seconds clear of a chasing Lines. Maintaining his cool with some controlled riding – and bunnyhopping the hurdles – Paton proved that he is a class act, to take the Scottish Cycling National Cyclocross Champion title with an incredible 1min30sec advantage over Lines. Behind them, Clark and Newnham battled for the last of the podium spots, with Newnham unable to keep the pace throughout and Clark took a deserved bronze medal.
In the Senior women competition it was again the youngest rider in the category who took the win with Isla Short (Thomsons Cycles) riding strongly from the line, holding off all the challenges. Early leader Kerry MacPhee (Rock & Road Cycles) rode strongly, then a crash took her out of contention and out of the race. Maddy Robinson (Velo Club Moulin) was unable to catch the flying Short who finished with a comfortable minute margin. Short’s teammate Lyndsey Carson took bronze position.
Calum Magowan (Peebles CC) rode a storming ride in the Junior mens category to win the Scottish Cycling National Cyclocross Championships title, with his large winning margin replicated by Brendan Roe in the Veteran 50+ category.
A first lap puncture left him in last place, looking like Gray McCrae (Team Leslie Bikeshop) would be unable to defend his Scottish Cyclocross title, however in an impressive display of strength he overtook every man to win the Veteran 40-49 category.
Convincing victories were had in all but one of the Youth categories, with Ellie Park (Glasgow Riderz) in the Under 14 girls, Emma Borthwick (Edinburgh RC) in the Under 16 girls and Conner Johnstone (Team Leslie Bikeshop) in the Under 16 boys, all finishing over 2 minutes to the good of their nearest rival to take Gold. Tim Shoreman (Deeside Thistle) took the Under 14 boys Scottish Cycling National Cyclocross Championships with a narrow 6 second margin.
Jamie Johnstone (Thomsons Cycles) rode strongly to take the Under 12s title, while Niamh Doherty (Glasgow Riderz) matched the feat in the Under 12 girls competition.
Scottish Cycling National Senior Cyclocross Champion, Iain Paton “The race went really well. I have only done one cyclocross race so far this year, as I hadn’t wanted to push it and to take it a bit easier this winter but I love racing up here in Scotland. Davie Lines has been flying at the last few races so I was really nervous but after the first two laps sitting together I felt really good so took a different line across one of the muddy sections and made a break. After that I was able to ride my own race and I’m really pleased to take the title today. The course was really good fun and fast with plenty of interesting sections – the TriCentre have done a great job!”
