For the second year running the Cyclo-Cross National Trophy Series travelled north to Falkirk’s Callendar Park, a truly incredible course pushing riders physical and technical skills to the limit – big hats off to Falkirk Junior Bike Club and the army of volunteers from the Scottish Cyclo-Cross community who helped deliver what is widely considered one of the best rounds of the series.
Capping a brilliant weekend was a popular victory for local boy Cameron Mason in the Elite Men’s, the best crowd of the weekend roaring him on as he rode away from the field to a classy victory. Rory McGuire suffered an unfortunate front puncture on lap one whilst at the head of the race – in the end he would have to battle back to claim sixth. 13 is unlucky for some, but not stalwart Gary MacDonald, the Fort William rider moving through the field from a low grid position to end up in the teens, whilst U23 Sam Chisholm enjoyed a breakthrough ride in 21st.
On the female side, there was an even bigger breakthrough for Ishbel Strathdee, who used the technical course to her advantage to bag a podium finish in third, another popular result. Scottish MTB XC champion Grace Inglis also put in a strong ride for eighth, whilst Jo Thom and Jane Barr were 13th and 16th respectively.
In the junior races, Emily Carrick-Anderson and Daisy Taylor would put in great performances for third and fourth in the Junior Women’s, Royal Albert’s Taylor a first year in this age group, whilst Reuben Oakley was top Scot in 12th in the Junior Men’s race, however were it not for issues on lap four of five, he could have been much higher.
Saturday’s racing saw further Scottish success, Innes McDonald of Edinburgh RC a resounding winner in the U16 Boy’s, whilst Xander Graham was second in the U14 race – Melanie Rowe and Olivia Poole delivering a superb 1-2 for Deeside Thistle in the U14 Girl’s.
Cumbernauld Centurions Winter Series Round 1
There was a great turn out at Cumbernauld, and despite a showery day, onlookers witnessed some great racing, with lots of youngsters and a whole heap of newcomers racing BMX for the first time.
At the other end of the spectrum there were some quality performances, the likes of Ben Fitzsimmons taking victory in the Male 17+, whilst Cooper McCrum dominated the Male 13-14 category. On the female side Tillie McCrum raced alongside men in the Male 17+, battling hard to take seventh, and first female, whilst it was a similar story for Jessica Taylor in the Cruiser 17+, as she finished a respectable fourth in a mixed category.
Full results to follow
Track League
Katie Archibald returned from the UCI Track World Championships, where she would bag silver in the Team Pursuit, and continued her return to form by showing her male counterparts how it’s done in the 25 lap Scratch Race, a classy performance.
