The sun finally shined on the Alba Development Road Team in this year’s Sportsbreaks.com Tour Series despite the driech conditions in Stranraer as Kate Richardson scored an excellent podium.

While, Finn Crockett led his Ribble-Weldtite squad to the team victory with an excellent fourth place in the Men’s event.

Women’s Race

The 19-year-old Richardson attacked early on in the hour long criterium as part of a four-rider move which also included Sammie Stuart, Jo Tindley and junior rider Emma Jeffers. After some initial chasing from fellow Scot Beth Morrow (CAMS-Basso) in an attempt to close down the move, the break were able to massively increase their advantage as the groups behind fractured.

Sophie Enever (Alba Development RT) and Beth Harley-Jepson (Jadan Vive-le Velo) were also active in the main chase group. With Scottish Criterium Champion Beth Maciver (Alba Development RT) in a group further back with her Welsh counterpart.

Richardson, who recently made her Great Britain debut at the Track Nations Cup, used her pursuiting skills to extend the breakaway’s lead to 50 seconds, as the final five laps loomed. An attack by Tindley was quickly snuffed out by Richardson, as the quartet set up a final lap sprint.

A four-up sprint was lead out by Tindley, as the home crowd were hoping for a local victor but Jeffers, the youngster, used her BMX skill to her advantage to come round Tindley to take her maiden Tour Series victory.

Richardson was able to sprint to a magnificent third, after contributing to the break’s success.

Richardson told Scottish Cycling:

“I’m really delighted with that performance today, especially with the home crowd I wanted to put on a show. I really didn’t expect us to get away as early in the race as we did, there was a small crash on the back straight that I managed not to get caught up in, but that’s the nature of these races”

On the effect this result has on the team:

“I think that’s the morale boost that we needed. It has been quite a difficult few rounds with mechanicals and crashes. Hopefully, tonight will move us forward for the final few rounds and be positive for us.”

Men’s Race

The evening’s Men’s event saw four Scots in action with many eyes on in-form Ribble-Weldtite Finn Crockett. However, Matti Dobbins (guesting for 05/03), Cameron MacLean (No Pinz) and Kieran Riley (Team P/B Performance) were also flying the flag on home roads.

The relentless pace set by Wiv-SunGod and Trinity Racing as well as the Ribble-Weldtite squad meant that unlike the women’s race, no break would be permitted to gain any real advantage.

The final five laps saw Crockett move towards the front of the small leading group, as the Ribble squad were keen to wrestle back control of the series from Wiv-SunGod.

The bunch sprint that ensued was a very tight affair – with Luke Lamperti (Trinity), the US Criterium Champion winning again after his Lincoln GP triumph. Crockett was able to claim a valliant fourth and be part of a Ribble-Weldtite squad that were overall winners on the night.

On his team’s excellent performance on the night, Crockett told Scottish Cycling:

“The team worked very well, we had Charlie and Harry [Tanfield] up there, who were dominating the front, and I was able sit in the wheels and keep some energy.

Harry did such a great job keeping me on his wheel, but I got squeezed out on the second-to-last corner, but fourth in the end, which isn’t too bad!"

On his scintillating recent form, the Stirling-based Highlander said:

“Its just all came together and it’s crazy how much momentum works and I’m really hopeful to continue that.”