Images: Mick Brown

Scottish riders have been producing exceptional performances at the recent British level Championships despite a challenging start to the 2020 season. John Archibald and Kyle Gordon continue to dominate the time trial circuit, while young talent Michael Gill notches up results has demonstrated his potential after only taking up the sport in 2018, and Katie Archibald proves lockdown has not impacted her preparations for the Tokyo Olympic Games.

John Archibald

John Archibald of Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling has been a podium regular the RTTC National Championships since the season restarted. The Commonwealth Games silver medallist put the competition well into the red winning the 25 Mile Time Trial in September. Sunday 11 October saw him maintaining exceptional form posting a time of 21.06 at RTTC National Closed Circuit Championship in Hampshire. 30 seconds ahead of the second placed rider.

“It was about getting the right lines around the corners and the cross wind added to the dynamic,” he explained to reporter Fraser Snowden.

This weekend John (Ribble Weldtite) was at it again winning his third title at the RTTC National Circuit Championships where riders completed two laps of a 12.5-mile course starting on the A1303 heading west towards in Cambridgeshire.  John had already sealed titles in the ’25 and Closed Circuit Championships

With little wind or technical features to challenge riders it was a test of strength on the course near Newmarket. Perfect for John who also excels at the individual pursuit and averaged an average speed of over 30.7 miles per hour winning by 20 seconds in 48 minutes and 50 seconds.

“It was pretty basic with not a lot of wind or technical aspects on the course. Not very often do I get time splits but with it being two laps of a circuit I found out I was nine seconds back after the first lap. I’m going to take some down-time now and rest and I’m waiting to find out what my plan will be next.”

Katie Archibald

World, European, Olympic and Commonwealth Champion Katie Archibald has had to get creative with her preparation for the postponed Tokyo Olympic Games due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The RTTC National Closed Circuit Championship provided the perfect opportunity for her to stretch her legs and feel the burn over a five lap circuit, averaging a lightning fast 29.1 miles per hour and taking the victory by 25 seconds in a time of 24 minutes and six seconds. Competing for Dooleys RT, it was Archibald’s second ever open title after also winning the RTTC National Circuit Championships in 2018.

Speaking after the event, she told Scottish Cycling “Racing at the weekend was a lot of fun, my first race since the Covid-19 outbreak and a very well organised event. It's nice to pin a number on and go hard. Europeans are also hopefully just around the corner, scheduled to be hosted in Bulgaria this November. I think the team is physically really well prepared, so I hope it's safe enough to go ahead.”

Kyle Gordon

Dingwall born Kyle Gordon is well known for his strength in both track and time trial with many Scottish National Championship titles to his name. Gordon came out of lockdown in great shape, placing forth in the RTTC National 10 Mile Championship in August and fifth at the RTTC National 25 Mile Championship in late September in a time of 46.56. But it was the RTTC National 50 Mile Championship in Cramlington, Northumberland which saw him win his first ever British national title despite crashing at halfway. The course challenged riders with a cross-headwind on the return journey and a tough climb past the finish starting with 15 miles to go. The RT23 rider, was one of many riders who went down on the wet course but still managed to win by a minute and 23 seconds.

Speaking to Frazer Snowden, he said “I pushed it quite well until the first turn and was looking to open up coming back. Luckily I bounced back up after the crash and was straight back onto the bike. I cut my hand and my hip but got back up quickly and a marshal gave me a push.”

Michael Gill

Michael Gill of Leisure Lakes Bikes.com is an up and coming Scottish rider who has been making waves in 2020.  After achieving a medal at the British Track Championships in the Team Pursuit back in January he set about finishing his Masters and then focusing on cycling.  Covid curtailed his summer plans as it did for many, but making a decision to focus on the British Time Trial Championships, he ended up best U23 in the RTTC 10, 25 and 50 National Championships. All eyes will be on the young Scot Michael has recently joined the Scottish Cycling Performance Programme and is looking forward to as he looks towards a move to Glasgow for a winter on the track.

Thanks to Cycling Time Trials and Snowden Sports for allowing the use of their race reports.