Stirling Bike Club and the University of Stirling staged another successful Crit on the Campus on Sunday 2rd April.
The University’s beautiful setting again offered the perfect backdrop for the event, in its fourth year. With over 450 entries spread over ten races, this is likely to be one of the largest days of road racing in Scotland this year. The event saw one of the best days of the year so far, with riders tackling the technical circuit in dry conditions under glorious, warm sunshine.
Crit On The Campus is developing into a fantastic festival of racing, with races for all Youth age groups and a range of senior races, on an exciting closed circuit within the spectacular grounds of the University of Stirling. This year’s race drew a large crowd of spectators who created a great atmosphere on race day.
The day kicked off with Youth races, with a race for Under 8s and Under 10s (Youth E and D), followed by the under 12s (Youth C) race.
Louis Thomley and Orla Burn won the boys and girls Youth E races, and the Youth D races were won by Innes McDonald and Erin Boothman, respectively.
This year Crit On The Campus hosted Round 2 of the Scottish Cycling National Youth Series. In the Youth B category, the leaders after round 1 were Callum Reid (Speedflex Race Team) and Eva Young (Pedal Power RT), and both riders extended their lead in the Series with wins in their respective races. In the Youth A category, boys Series leader Matti Dobbins (Johnstone Wheelers CC) finished third, behind Alfred George (Discovery Junior CC) and Logan Maclean (Stirling Bike Club), whilst girls Series leader Georgia Ferry (Glasgow Riderz) finished in 7th place in her race, with Abby Stewart (Glasgow Riderz) taking the win.
Following the Youth Races, there was a race involving Special Olympics riders from the Scotland West Section. Nine riders took to the course for the 30 minute race, getting in some excellent training for the upcoming Special Olympics Summer Games.
Next up were three men’s races. The first two were for 4th category riders and in both races, small groups of riders got away from the main bunch and stayed away to contest the finish between themselves, with James Tree (Dooley’s Cycles) and Jackie Chan (Perth United CC) taking the respective wins. These races were followed by a race for 3rd and 4th category men, with junior riders Calum Shackley and Innes Johnston (both Glasgow Cycle Team) finishing first and second, and Tom Merry Edniburgh University CC) third.
The women’s race saw a group of seven riders escape early on. The group reduced to six as the race progressed, with these riders coming into the approach to the finish together. Flora Gillies (Team 22) and Ellen McDermott (EDCO Continental) surged for the line, with Gillies taking the win fractionally ahead of McDermott.
The final race of the day was for Elite, 1st, 2nd and 3rd category men, and a strong field of 50 lined up at the start. Unfortunately, a serious crash early on meant the race had to be stopped while and ambulance was called for the injured rider. By the time the circuit re-opened, there was not enough time to restart, and the race was abandoned.
Stirling Bike Club would like to thank the 40 club members who volunteered to help run the race. They also thank all riders who took part and made such a great day of racing. The club also send its best wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured rider.
