With the summer season in full swing, and a heatwave making it's way across the UK and Europe, there were plenty of Scottish riders enjoying the favourable conditions.
UCI Mountain Bike World Series, Lenzerheide
Charlie Aldridge (Cannondale Factory Racing) came of age in Lenzerheide, the former World Junior Champion posting a magnificent 14th place finish in the Elite Men’s Cross Country event. Having crashed twice in the short course race on Friday night, Aldridge was much more composed in the Olympic distance, beating a number of household names in the mountain bike world on the technical track – it is also worth noting the Crieff man is still an U23.
Further back, Cameron Mason (Trinity Racing) was third Brit home, 64th overall, admitting he didn’t quite have his usual legs, whilst in the Elite Female race Isla Short came home in 58th place, despite a crash costing her time. In the U23 Men’s race Rory McGuire (Leslie’s Bike Shop) was second Brit home in 52nd, with Sam Chisholm (The Cycling Academy) impressing on his debut at this level, moving up from the back of the grid to finish 92nd. The two Anna’s, McGorum and Flynn, were separated by just two places in the U23 Female race, crossing the line 46th and 48th respectively, whilst Anna’s younger sister Elena was 62nd.
The Swiss town also played host to the Downhill World Series, with Phoebe Gale (Canyon CLLCTV FMD) and Louise Ferguson (Continental Nukeproof Factory Racing) both putting in impressive rides, in 11th and 16th respectively, on a short, rough and extremely intense track. Gale’s ride in particular was worth noting, as at just 18 years of age, and in her first year in the U23 category, Gale is already mixing it with the best elite riders on the planet.
In the Junior category, Aimi Kenyon (Pinkbike Racing) delivered another classy performance, coming home in fifth place, as she builds towards a home World Championships in August. Before then though, the mountain bike world moves on to Leogang this coming weekend, where the vast majority of aforementioned riders will be in action once again.
Scottish Youth Circuit Series
Kames Motor Racing Circuit was the venue for the latest round of the Scottish Youth Circuit Series, which incluced the latest qualifier for the Race The Worlds Series.
Erin Boothman (East Kilbride RC) soloed her way to victory in the Youth A girls race, with James Sweeney (Edinburgh RC) winning from the break in the Youth A Boys. Xander Graham (Scott Racing) was top of the Youth B boys with Ava Luce (Deeside Thistle) winning out in the Youth B girls in Ayrshire.
You can see the results here:
READ HERE
National Youth Omnium
Changing gears, or not, as is the case in track racing, the best British youngsters descended on the historic city of York, where Erin Boothman (East Kilbride) underlined her class by sweeping all before her. In fact it was a historic ride that sealed victory, as she lapped the field three times in the Youth A Points Race, revenge for the three runner-up positions she had achieved earlier, to take the overall victory. In the Youth B equivalent there was also an impressive outing for Eve Fairbairn (Discovery Juniors), consistency across the five events securing her a trip to the podium to collect a deserved bronze medal.
On the Men’s side, Edinburgh RC duo Struan Shaw and James Sweeney finished sixth and 11th respectively in the Youth A category, Shaw snagging second in the Elimination Race, whilst their younger teammate, Micah Myles, was 10th in the Youth B event.
Scottish Regional BMX Series
It was round six of the Scottish Summer BMX Series this weekend at Cumbernauld, the Centurians proving wonderful hosts once again. There was some great head-to-head racing, with Lewis Cook getting the better of Lewis Collins-Nimmo and Alexis McCartney in a closely fought Male 15-16 race, whilst Tillie McCrum and Ben Fitzsimmons won the Female 16 and Male 17-18 respectively.
Full results from all the age groups can be found here: https://our.sqorz.com/org/srbmx/event/64314fe39302400ab861ab75/classes
Scots Abroad
Oscar Onley (Team DSM) gave a further indication that he is destined for a stellar career, the youngster showing flashes of brilliance at the 75th edition of the Criterium Du Dauphine, the typical Tour De France preparation race. On a hilly second stage to La Chaise-Dieu, Onley finished eighth on the day, finishing on the same time as winner Julian Alaphilippe amongst others.
Elliot Rowe was in action for Great Britain at the Trofeo Saarland Nations Cup, a four day event that was raced at a ferocious intensity. In the end Rowe finished 36th, a commendable effort, but what was more impressive was his top 10 placing out of the first year juniors.
The Giro Next Gen (formerly the Baby Giro) got underway in earnest on Sunday, with Callum Thornley (Trinity Racing) starting the biggest race of his career to date with a solid 31st place on the short opening time trial, before working for his team leader on stage two.
Duffus Road Races
Up on the north coast the Duffus Road Races were met with a mixture of sunshine and showers, but young Ahron Dick (The Cycling Academy) wasn’t fazed, the junior rider taking victory from his breakaway companions Thomas Gelati (Kelpie Racing) and Matiss Robertson (Ribble recharge). Scott Davidson (Moray Firth CC) claimed the North Region title.
Martha Gates (Moray Firth CC) won out overall in the Women's Road Race to take race win as well as the North Regional Championship, from second place Kirstin McDonald (Edinburgh RC) and third place Lauren Davis (Torvelo Racing).
