The Scottish Cyclocross series kicked off for the first time since 2019, as the Muir of Ord Showgrounds played host to the opening round of the series.
Cyclocross
Over 220 riders made their way up the A9 for Round 1 of the SCX series in Muir of Ord, as Ben Wyvis Cycling Club put on a great event.
After a morning of races at Youth level from Under 10’s upwards, lunchtime played host to the Junior, Veteran and Senior riders.
In the Junior and Veteran 50+ Men’s race, Ruan Voster (West Lothian Clarion) claimed the win, as he powered away from fellow juniors Campbell Mackintosh (West Highland Wheelers) and Milo McIntosh (Peebles CC) who claimed second and third place respectively. Douglas Cameron came home in fourth and the top V50 rider. Meanwhile, Vet 40 race was won by Chris Buchan (Pentland Racers).
Scottish National CX Champion Anna Flynn (Spectra Wiggle p/b Vitus) led from start to finish to claim the win in the Senior and Junior Women’s Race, with second place Jane Barr (Velocity 44) closely behind in second place. Natalie Munro (MGC RT) rounded off the podium in third place. Millie Thomson (Deeside Thistle CC) finished in fourth place and was the top junior rider.
The final race of the day was that of the Senior Men. A dominant Gary MacDonald (North Argyll CC) won out and took the series lead, as he was over two minutes ahead of Sam Chisholm (The Cycling Academy) in second place and Neil Scott (Deeside Thistle CC) in third place.
Round 2 of the SCX Series takes place at Lochore Meadows on Sunday 2nd October and you can still enter here
Domestic Road
There certainly was a Highland feeling to this weekend’s domestic racing as Saturday saw Elgin CC host a day of racing for men and women, this time on the Duffus / Lossiemouth course.
The Men’s race incorporated the SC North Championship, with Neil Scott (Deeside Thistle) edging out Aaron King (RT23) and Graham Smith (Vanelli Project-GO) in third.
The Women’s Race was a third and fourth category race, with a healthy field of 20 riders – following on from the success of the Miltonduff Ladies Day earlier this year. Martha Gates (Moray Firth CC) claimed the win from Rachel Hardman (Forth Velo) and Sally Devlin (Moray Firth CC) in third place.
Sunday saw Aberdeen Wheelers play host to their traditional double-header. The morning saw their Classified 10 mile TT, which was won by Lee Rosie (Spokes RT) in 20:18, and Rachel Hardman (Forth Velo) in 25.07 respecitely.
The afternoon played host to the Durris Hill Climb, which included the Grampian Championship. Ewan McMillan (Deeside Thistle) claimed the win and the title with a time of 3:41 up the steep slopes to the transmitter, while Morgan Ormrod-Livingstone (Aberdeen Wheelers) won the junior title with a 3:54.7.
Next month sees the Scottish National Hill Climb Championships take place up Glen Quaich in Perthshire, entries for that are still open and can be entered here
Scots Abroad
Track
Iona Moir was representing Great Britain at the UCI Class 2 Trofeu Internacional Ciutat de Barcelona IX Memorial Miquel Poblet Track Meet in Spain, Niall Monks (Glasgow Track RC) also in action.
Moir claimed a fine second place in the Keirin as well as third in the Sprint, while Monks claimed fourth in the Men’s keirin and eighth in the Sprint.
Road
Scottish National Circuit Champion Ross Birrell (Team Inspired) claimed a strong fifth place in the Belgian Elite Kermesse in Bavegem.
While over in France, Alfie George (Vendée-U) scored another strong result, this time finishing 12th at the French D1 race at Jard-Les Herbiers.
