A squad of Scots took part in the UCI MB World Cup in Nove Mesto, while a trio of Scots flew the flag at the UCI Track Nations Cup in Canada.
Domestically, Torvelo Racing kicked off the Women’s Scotia Road Race Series with the Braes GP, while there was plenty of road action abroad with the UCI Para Road World Cup and Itzulia Women taking place.
UCI MB World Cup XC – Nove Mesto na Morave
Rory McGuire led home the strong contingent of Scots in the men’s Under 23 race at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup event in Moravia.
McGuire started last of the Scots in the grid, a lowly 75th, but managed to ride an extraordinary race to finish in a great 22nd place. A great first lap on the circuit, saw him move up 41 places through the field. Just behind McGuire, was his Cyclocross rival Corran Carrick-Anderson, who finished in 25th position. There was also spirited ride by Charlie Aldridge, who was in the fight for the Top 20 until the final two laps and finished in 33rd place.
While bad luck befell Cameron Mason (Trinity Racing) who again started down the field in 70th position on the grid. An early puncture sent the Linlithgow rider to 152nd and last by the end of the first lap. Typical of his form this season, the Scot moved through the field and was in the Top 20 quickest riders each lap despite having to force many overtakes in order to get back in contention. Despite his best efforts, much of the damage had been done as he finished in a 45th place, a gain of 107 positions from the end of Lap 1.
Despite some promising riding from Isla Short, she was unable to finish the women’s Elite race, due to illness, and we all wish her a speedy recovery.
In the U23 women’s race, Scottish National CX champion Anna Flynn finished in 30th after starting considerably down the field. While in the Junior event, Emily Carrick-Anderson came home in 46th place.
UCI Track Nations Cup – Milton
After a disappointing Keirin disqualification that saw the Scot miss out on gold, Paisley’s Jack Carlin bounced back to claim a bronze medal in the men’s Sprint at the UCI Track Nations Cup in Milton, Canada.
It was a brace of fourth places in the Team Sprints, as Lauren Bell and Ali Fielding were both in action in the respective men’s and women's events. Both riders built on their recent efforts in Glasgow, and will look to the third and final Nations Cup event in Colombia in early July.
The Scots trio, as well as the riders that joined them in Glasgow, will soon learn if they will be selected for the Team Scotland Commonwealth Games squad, with the squad selection announced later this month.
Scotia Series – Braes GP
The opening round of the rebranded Scotia Women’s Road Race Series took place this weekend, as Torvelo Racing hosted the Braes GP in Callander.
It was fitting that Torvelo’s Zosia Martin who came up with the name for the series, was the event organiser for its first round.
The selection was made on the final finishing circuit with the battle to the line deciding the winner. Emma Matthews (Team Boompods) was the winner from Beth Harley-Jepson (Jadan Vive-le-Velo) in second, who was the winner previous incarnation of the Women’s National Road Race Series. There was a podium for Torvelo’s Harriet Wilson in third.
The men’s support race, also a Regional A event, was won by Callum Thornley (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli) from Louis Moore (Vanelli-Project GO) in second and Lewis Martin (Studio Velo) in third.
Proper Northern Road Race Series
The most recent round of Cold Dark North’s Proper Northern RR series in England took place this weekend, with three Scots taking Top 10s in the men’s race. Matti Dobbins (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli) came home in seventh, from Ross Birrell (GBCT) in eighth and Adam Mitchell (Cycling Sheffield) in ninth place.
In the Women’s event, Beth Harley-Jepson (Jadan Vive-le-Velo) followed on from the previous day’s exploits to finish eighth, with Arianne Holland (Alba Development RT) in tenth.
Scots Abroad
It was another double delight for Fin Graham as he claimed gold in the men’s C3 Time Trial and C3 Road Race at UCI Para Road World Cup in Wolfach, Germany.
Meanwhile, Jenny Holl piloted her partner Sophie Unwin to a brace of silvers in the Women’s B Tandem Time Trial and Road Race.
There was an excellent performance by Calum Johnston (Caja-Rujal) at the Tour de Hongrie to finish in 14th place in the general classification. The Scot, who resides in Pamplona, will take encouragement from his recent form as he heads into a brace of classics in France next weekend.
Anna Shackley (SD Worx) rode to a marvellous 15th on the general classification and second in the young rider classification at the UCI Women’s WorldTour Itzulia (Tour of the Basque Country). The Milngavie rider was riding in support of teammate Demi Vollering, who was successfully set up for the overall victory.
In France, Alfie George (Vendée-U) rode to fourth place at the National Elite Tour du Pays Lionnais near Angers. Cramps late on in the final kilometres kyboshed the young Scotsman’s chances of victory.
