Archibald and Smith smash Tour of The Meldons TT course records
The Tour of the Meldons incorporating the Scottish Cycling National Olympic TT Championships, is a tough, early season hilly time trial in the Scottish Borders, where even on the sunniest of days the headwinds can be brutal and the 2019 edition of this longstanding event run by Edinburgh RC proved no different.
Despite the blustery conditions, course records for both the men’s and the women’s events were smashed.
Pre race favourite in the women’s race had to be Lynsey Curran - Dooleys Cycles who has dominated the race since 2015, taking consecutive wins and holding the course record for the extended distance of 25 miles. However it was not to be five out of five for Curran.
Out on the circuit, her two closest rivals Victoria Smith - AeroCoach and Catriona MacGillivray - RT23 were both on course for record-breaking rides. It was just a matter of seconds that separated them at the finish, with Victoria Smith - AeroCoach stopping the clock at 1hr 1min 17secs, just 12 seconds faster than MacGillivray, shaving over 2 mins from the previous course record to take the win. Lynsey Curran took the final podium position in third.
The women’s team prize went to RT 23, with Catriona MacGillivray sharing the top step with her teammate, Anna Fairweather.
Vicky Smith told us after the event:
“I loved the course, I’ve always wanted to ride it since I started racing two years ago, but I wasn’t ready, so pleased I was finally able to do it. Can’t wait to come back again next year to try and defend my title.”
Professional Mountain biker Grant Ferguson (Hope Factory Racing) took the opportunity to ride his local course, swapping his usual fat tyres for skinny ones, recording an impressive 55mins 40 secs, to temporarily take the hot seat. He didn’t stay seated for long.
John Archibald (Ribble Pro Cycling) scorched to the finish line with a remarkable 50min 42sec ride, taking the win and the coveted Meldons Trophy, with nearly 5 mins lead over his nearest rival Ferguson, and wiping 2mins and 26secs from his previous course record set in 2017 along the way.
Just 17 secs behind Ferguson, Rob Friel (Bioracer-Moriarity Bikes) took home another bronze in the event, with Andy Underwood – COG Velo picking up 4th. The 5th and remaining spot on the podium was jointly awarded to Gavin Shirley (Dooleys Cycles( and David Griffiths (Bioracer-Moriarity Bikes) both recording 57mins 27sec.
We asked John, that if time trialing was now part of his road to Tokyo Olympics:
” It’s all part of the process, it’s a different kind of build and it’s very different from the track work I’ve been doing, but its something I enjoy doing. I enjoy doing these time trails and that’s really what I’m in it for. So yeah it’s been a good day today”.
Rob Friel led his BioRacer teammates David Griffiths and Andy Bruce to the men’s team prize with a combined time of 2hrs 51mins32secs.
Junior men’s contender Matthew McCullagh (Edinburgh RC), got off to a brilliant start on his way to the podium, only to have his hopes of a win dashed by a mechanical.
Many thanks to organiser Juli Rouke, Edinburgh RC, and all the excellent marshals and officials for ensuring another successful and enjoyable running of the Scottish Cycling National Olympic TT Championships at the Tour of The Meldons.
2019 champions:
Senior Men:
- John Archibald - Ribble Pro Cycling
- Grant Ferguson - Hope Factory Racing
- Rob Friel - Bioracer-Moriarity Bikes
- Andy Underwood - COG Velo
- =5 Gavin Shirley - Dooleys Cycles
- =5 David Griffiths - Bioracer-Moriarity Bikes
Senior Men Team: Bioracer-Moriarity Bikes
Robert Friel, David Griffiths, Andy Bruce
1st Male Vet:
Andy Bruce - Bioracer-Moriarity Bikes
1st Male Super Vet:
Jim Cusick - Dooleys Cycles
Senior Women:
- Victoria Smith - AeroCoach
- Catriona MacGillivray - RT 23
- Lynsey Curran - Dooleys Cycles
Senior Women Team: RT 23
Catriona MacGillivray, Anna Fairweather
1st Women Vet:
Teri Bayliss - Muckle Cycle Club
1st Women Super Vet:
Katherine Wren - Sterling Bike Club
