A spectacular ride from Cameron Mason to win the Men’s Elite race at the British Cyclo-Cross Championships bookended an excellent weekend for the Scots racing in the Cumbrian mud.
Saturday saw the youth and veteran races with the under 14 championships kicking off the Scottish success.
After winning last week in the National Trophy finale, Scottish national champion Gus Lawson (Pentland Racers) powered away from the field to add the British title to his already impressive palmares. It was Lawson’s ninth race win of the season, and rounds off an excellent campaign in his year as a Youth B rider. There was also a great ride from Xander Graham (Edinburgh RC) to come home in sixth place. While in the under 14 girls, there were strong rides from the Deeside Thistle pair of Melanie Rowe and Olivia Poole to come home in fourth and fifth, respectively.
There was a further trip to the top step of the podium in the under 16 boys race, with Scottish national champion Innes McDonald (Edinburgh RC) battling through the mud to also add the British title to his collection. After a tough battle with two others, McDonald was able to ride away on the final lap to take the win. In the girls’ race, there was another strong ride from Arabella Blackburn (Deeside Thistle), who came home in fifth place.
In the veteran races there was a seventh place finish in the Veteran 40 Men for Davie Lines (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli), but in the oldest category of the day there was a win for John Newton (Leslie Bike Shop/Bikers Boutique) in the Veteran 70+ after crossing the line first of the category in the Vet 60+ race, a great ride for John!
Sunday saw the turn of the junior and senior riders, taking to the course in Milnthorpe. However, the already muddy course conditions had deteriorated with the course resembling the final day of a music festival which would suit the riders that preferred lots of running.
The junior women opened the days’ racing, a quality ride from Emily Carrick-Anderson (T-MO Racing) to come home in fourth place.
In the women's elite and U23, Ishbel Strathdee produced a fantastic ride to claim the bronze medal in the U23 race and claim ninth overall.
Favourite Cameron Mason (Trinity Racing) had a poor start in the Men’s Elite race and found himself a outside the top 20 riders after the first 100m, as the Scot missed his pedal when clipping in at the outset.
Mason did not panic and by the end of the second of nine laps had made it up to reigning champion Thomas Mein and Joe Blackmore, who had pulled away from the field – after a blustering effort in the opening period by the former.
After two more laps Mason slowly started to pile the pressure on his comrades out front, with Mein clearly struggling to hold on; paying for his earlier efforts. Blackmore was able to respond and stick with the West Lothian rider for slightly longer, but Mason was able to break clear and gradually increase his lead.
As the final lap approached, Mason had extended his lead over Blackmore to more than two and a half minutes, allowing him ample time to relish his victory. Upon crossing the finish line, he was overcome with feelings celebrating his hard-earned victory – and his first senior British title.
There was also strong showings from Grant Ferguson (Hope Factory Racing) in seventh place and Sam Chisholm in 22nd - 11th placed U23.
We wish all the Scots the best of luck in their attempts to gain selection to the squad heading to the World Championships in a couple of weeks time, and hopefully we'll see a strong contingent flying the flag in Hoogerheide.
