Another jam-packed weekend of action on two wheels saw the UCI MB World Cup finally return to Nevis Range, while the Home International Cycle Speedway visited Scotland's newest City. Plus there was action from the Alba Series and British BMX Series, as well as all the other racing action to round up.
UCI MB World Cup
The dreich slopes of Aonach Mór played host to the UCI MB World Cup for the first time since 2019, over the weekend with a plethora of Scots in action to keep the home crowd happy despite the wet weather.
Before the elite riders were racing on the slopes it was time for the Mini-DH event organise by Scottish Cycling and supported by Black Isle MTB Club and West Highland Wheelers. With three Black Isle alumni racing in the elite races this weekend, it shows the importance that events like this can have on these young riders.
Phoebe Gale (Canyon Collective FMD) and Aimi Kenyon (Pinkbike Racing) were both flying the flag for Scotland in the Junior Women’s event. Phoebe Gale sailed down the mountain to claim another strong second place. Kenyon, the local rider who was riding in her debut UCI World Cup, rode to a magnificent third place to send the strong contingent of support from her Black Isle MTB Club wild, fellow BIMBC alumni Beth McCully finished in a strong tenth place.
In the Elite Women’s Fort William native Mikayla Parton was the sole Scot in action. The home rider finished a great sixth in qualifying before finishing in a brilliant eighth in Sunday’s final to record her best senior finish in a World Cup event, the perfect way to round off a stellar performance from the Highlander.
Sunday afternoon saw the Men’s elite go head-to-head, with a magnificent seven Scots qualifying for the final. Ryan Brannen (555 RAAW Gravity Racing) making his senior debut at a UCI World Cup, produced a sterling performance to come home in 51st place – a brilliant debut ride for the 19-year-old, in what we’re sure will certainly not be his last World Cup event.
Scottish National DH Champion George Gannicott produced his best ride at a World Cup in five years to finish 28th, one place behind his best-ever performance on the same mountain in 2016. Just bettering him were Ben Cathro (24th) and 555’s Luke Williamson in 27th.
2020 World Champion Reece Wilson (Trek FR) rode to 17th, while it was Inverness-based Greg Williamson who was top Scot with a 14th place finish for the 100% Commencal rider.
There was a bonus for the home crowd, as it was formally announced that the Downhill events at the 2023 UCI World Championships will take place at Fort William’s Nevis Range.
Cycle Speedway Home International
A good crowd, including Scottish Cycling President Kathy Gilchrist and local MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville ventured to Scotland’s newest city of Dunfermline for the Cycle Speedway Home International as the best riders from across the UK and Ireland went head-to-head.
There was some success in the Women’s Pairs as Scotland and North were victorious through some great riding from Emily Burgess and Laura Watson.
In the Junior Home International, Scotland lost out 61-118 to England, but some promising rides from Kayden Davidson and Harris Alsop shows that the future of Scottish Cycle Speedway is strong.
The final event of the day was the Senior Home International and it was England that again came out on top, but they had to fight hard for victory, as their 67 points was enough to beat Wales’ 52, while Scotland finished in third with 37, ahead of Ireland with the wooden spoon in fourth with 23 points.
Event hosts Fife Cycle Speedway remarked of the day:
“A great days racing [was had] by all. A huge commitment by all the riders travelling up with what we hope was a good event [at ...] the Fastbowl”
Alba Series
Callum Thornley (Wheelbase CabTech-Castelli) took his second victory of the week on Sunday by escaping from the breakaway at the Hugh Dornan Road Race in Garelochhead. The fourth round of the Alba Series saw a seven-man break form on the opening loop of the Rosneath peninsula, with Thornley winning from Aaron King (RT23) in second and Gavin Dempster (Torvelo) in third.
Huge credit to Lomond Roads CC and all the volunteers who helped put on another great event.
BMX British Series
Cumbernauld Centurions put on a fantastic event at Broadwood, as the British BMX Series Rounds 5 & 6.
Full results will be on the Website promptly, but we’d love to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful volunteers who have done brilliantly to put on the event at Broadwood, and next weekend at the World Cup in Knightswood.
Fife Midweek TT
The Fife Midweek TTs are in full swing now, and Wednesday’s event in Freuchie turned some heads with two brilliant times recorded. Becky Storrie (CAMS-Basso) smashed the Scottish national 10 Mile record (subject to ratification) with a 20:41, while Callum Thornley (Wheelbase-CabTech Castelli) won overall with a 18:50, only four seconds shy of a Scottish record.
The seventh round is on Wednesday evening and can be entered here.
Tour Series Barking
Saturday night saw Barking taken over by the UK’s best criterium racers for the latest round of the Tour Series. In the Men’s event, Kieran Riley (PB Performance) impressed again as he scored a credible eighth, as he was fourth in the bunch sprint.
Kate Richardson (Alba Development RT), again, showed her class finishing third in the Women’s event as her Alba squad finished fourth on the night.
With the final round in Manchester on Tuesday night, the Scottish squad sit in fifth in the standings with a possible podium finish still on the cards in their debut season.
Student Road Champs
Adam Mitchell (Cycling Sheffield) claimed victory at the BUCS Road Race Championships in Loughborough, while Beth Morrow (CAMS-Basso) finished third in the Women's race.
Scots Abroad
Vuelta á Burgos
Anna Shackley (SD Worx) continued her brilliant form as she worked tirelessly to set up a Stage win for teammate Demi Vollering, as the Scot finish 14th overall at the Vuelta á Burgos. The Scot’s exploits were rewarded as despite SD Worx’s shortage of riders, they managed to win the Team Classification.
This continues a run of six successive Top 30 finishes in Pro races that goes back to early April, which is showing the brilliant consistency of the 21-year-old from Milngavie.
Triptyque Ardennais
Alfie George (Vendeé-U) finished in third at the final stage of the Belgian Elite Triptyque Ardennes (Triple Ardennes), which ends his current block of continental racing.
GP Herning
There was some strong riding from Gregor McArthur (The Cycling Academy) to make the breakaway in UCI 1.2 GP Herning in Denmark. The Scot was later reeled in by the bunch, but a great showing by the 21-year-old on his UCI debut.
