A bumper weekend of action for our nation of cyclists, as ten Scots took on the world at the UCI Nations Cup in Glasgow, there was a blast-off for Finn Crockett in Rutland and latest rounds of Alba and SXC series taking place.
Glasgow Track Nations’ Cup
Four enthralling days of action at the UCI Tissot Nations Cup concluded on Sunday evening with a final scintillating day of racing on the boards of the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome. You can read our report of Day 4 here.
Thursday’s action saw the sprint trio of Lusia Steele, Iona Moir and Lauren Bell in action while Katie Archibald and Neah Evans were representing Great Britain in the team pursuit. Our report can be read here.
The pursuit skills of Kyle Gordon (Spellman-Port Dublin) and Jonny Wale (Clancey Windows & Doors) were put to test on Friday – read all about it here.
Despite only six months in action on the track, Kate Richardson made her debut for Great Britain in Saturday’s pursuit, read about Saturday's events here.
A big winn at the CiCLE Classic
Finn Crockett (Ribble-Weldtite) claimed his first UCI win at the Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic after winning the sprint from the breakaway in the Midlands, with teammate Stuart Balfour finishing in fourth.
While it was on fourth for Balfour, he did not miss out on a very important prize. As a result of winning the final sector of mud/gravel, he receives a massive Melton Mowbray pork pie.
The fourth UCI win for Scottish-developed riders this season, also launches Crockett into contention for Team Scotland selection with the Commonwealth Games standard being fulfilled.
One of the various qualification criteria on the road requires two Top Six finishes at a UCI Class 2 event in Europe, which Crockett fulfilled on Sunday, with the first coming last week at the Tour du Loir et Chet.
However, for Crockett, Balfour (who had already met the criteria) and other athletes aiming for Birmingham it is a nervous wait; as selections for this summer’s games will take place at the start of May.
The result also makes the Strathpeffer rider climb to the top of the British Road Rankings overtaking his teammate Zeb Kyffin, which is the icing on the cake for the Stirling-based rider.
Cameron Mason (Trinity) finished in 27th, while Callum Thornley (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli) came home in 29th with a great showing by Spokes Racing Team’s Lee Rosie to finish in 31st place.
SXC in Callendar Estate
The second round of the Scottish Cross Country Series took place at Callendar Estate in Falkirk this weekend.
It was a fantastic ride from Grant Ferguson (Hope Factory Racing) as he claimed victory in the elite men’s race, winning by over three minutes from Hamish Creber (Ryan’s Bike Surgery) and Rory McGuire (Leslie Bikes Boutique) finishing in third.
In the women’s Elena McGorum continued her fine form winning the elite race from Joanne Thom and Jane Barr. The Peebles CC rider won the event by over four and a half minutes on the cracking course that Falkirk Junior Bike Club were able to set-up on such short notice.
In the juniors, the women’s was won by Beatrix Kiehlmann (Clydesdale Colts) with Reuben Oakley (Rotor RT) claiming victory in the men’s event.
There is a short break for the mountain bikers before the 7th-8th May when the British XC Series comes to Lochore Meadows in Fife.
Drummond Trophy
The latest round of the #AlbaSeries took place on Sunday on the roads around Strathaven, as we saw the welcome return of the Drummond Trophy.
Tim Shoreman (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli) broke the Ribble-Weldtite dominance of the series by sprinting to victory on the final tour of the Drumclog circuit.
Charlie Aldridge took a break from his usual mountain bike exploits to finish second, while Ciarin Mc Sherry (The Cycling Academy) continued his run of podium finishes with a very good third place. James Jobber (Kuwait Pro Cycling) and Alex Ball (Zappi Racing) rounded out the top five.
A massive thank you to Glenmarnock Wheelers for making the return of this prestigious race possible.
Another strong showing from Carrick-Anderson
Corran Carrick-Anderson spent the weekend in Germany with a fantastic seventh place at the U23 UCI .HC class event in Herbach. This continues the strong run of form the young rider has produced in recent months, having scored a podium at the first British MTB Series event in Tong.
Scots Abroad
Eilidh Shaw was part of Great Britain junior side that won the overall team classification at the Omloop Borsele Juniors. Leading Zoe Backstedt to overall victory, and scoring a sixth place on the final stage shows the class of the young Airdrie-based rider.
Anna Shackley rode the Women’s World Tour classic of La Fleche Wallone for the Dutch SD Worx squad. A strong display by the Scot saw her finish in 26th place, as she worked for teammate Demi Vollering who finished in a strong third.
R.A.C.E National
We are proud to say that the inaugural BMX R.A.C.E. National took place at Knightswood BMX track in Glasgow over the weekend with the young riders making the most of the unseasonably nice weather. It was also the first RA.C.E. National for our downhill riders as pinkbike’s Ben Cathro and Scottish Cycling Mountain Bike coach Paul Newnham taking the two-day session last week.
Meanwhile, Scottish Cycling Endurance Coach Evan Oliphant and volunteer coach Sam Long took the second R.A.C.E National of the season at Fife Cycle Park.
