Text by Kenny Armstrong, Edited by Stuart Young
Along with the Drummond Trophy and the Tour of the Trossachs, the ‘Davie Bell’ is a monument of Scottish Cycling. A gruelling race, for most riders it is enough just to finish. This Sunday the race returns to Victory Park in Girvan for the 49th Edition.
Last year’s race ended with a 14 man sprint won by Evan Oliphant on the line
Promoted by Ayr Roads Cycling Club and run thanks to the support of South Ayrshire Council, the David Bell Memorial Race returns for 2014. Back in the Ayrshire Alps but with a new course, and introducing the climb of Glenalla to the race for the first time in 20 years. Over the 120km route, riders will tackle sprints at Barrhill and Straiton, and contest hill primes at Tairlaw Shalloch, Glenalla, The Screws and The Byne. It remains to be seen if we will be treated to the same thrilling 14 man sprint round Victory Park we saw in 2013.
Starting at 1pm, the 52 man field will lap Victory before heading out onto the roads of Ayrshire.
Last year's winner Evan Oliphant (Team Raleigh) will not be defending his win from last year, with the British National Championships road race taking place on the same day this year. In fact the only returning member from last year's podium is Scott McCrossan (Paisley Velo RT). McCrossan leads the National B points table from fellow Paisley Velo rider Peter Murdoch, who is just a single point behind him in the standings. Ben Greenwood (Leslie Bike Shop/Biker's Boutique) finished fouth last year, and returns to the startline, amongst the strong field, which also includes Commonwealth Games rider Mark Stewart (Spokes RT), along with a number of strong teams, including Speg Project-51 (four riders) and the Rigmar Races (five riders).
Expect a tactical battle as the riders fight to gain seconds on the climbs, whilst others will struggle to maintain their positions and keep the bunch together, as the parcours makes it uncertain how many riders will make it to the finish for the final showdown!
This 49th edition of the David Bell Memorial is 82 miles long, and features 6400ft of ascent. The route has been designed to allow for aggressive racing and good spectator opportunities. The race route features four of the climbs in the area commonly referred to as the ‘Ayrshire Alps’, including Tairlaw Shalloch, Glenalla, The Screws and The Byne. The climb of Tairlaw Shalloch is especially memorable this year as riders will ascend from Bargrennan rather than Rowntree Toll, effectively giving 10 miles of ascent! Glenalla makes its first appearance in the race for over a decade, and will be a shock to the system after the long descent of Tairlaw Summit. The highpoint of the race, The Screws, is best known for the great descent off it. However, our riders are going the wrong way. The gradient ups on a couple of the tight corners, but this is essential a steady slog. The Byne is a steady drag up a shallow gradient. However, after the punishing 100km that precede it the riders will feel every metre of it!
The headquarters of the event are at Girvan Academy, 62 The Avenue, Girvan, South Ayrshire, KA26 9DW
Check out the Race Handbook here for the full race details and the startlist
