It was another packed weekend of racing with Scots racing both at home and abroad, with the #SCNatChamps taking place in the Downhill, and a Scottish development squad heading to Grenchen for the UCI Junior Series, while there was a smorgasbord of road action including the U23 Giro d'Italia.
Scottish National MTB Downhill Championships
George Gannicott and Kerry Wilson were the big winners at the Scottish National MTB Downhill Championships on the peat slopes of Glenshee Ski Centre. You can read our report here.
Swiss Bike Cup
A Scottish Cycling development squad headed to Grenchen in Switzerland for the latest round of the UCI Junior Series and .HC class senior event.
In a very strong women’s elite field Elena McGorum produced a great ride to finish 15th, the Peebles CC rider showed off the form that has seen her seal up the British Cross Country Series before the final round next weekend.
It was a continuation of the form that has seen Emily Carrick-Anderson crowned as British Series champion as the Scot finished in a fine 12th place in the UCI Junior Series event
Rory McGuire rode to a great 20th in the Elite Men’s event, and the fourth best rider in the U23 ranks. The British Series leader will hope to continue his fine form next weekend, as he looks to hold off fellow Scots Corran Carrick-Anderson, Cameron Mason, Charlie Aldridge and Rab Wardell who can each usurp the Perth rider to the series lead at Woody's Bike Park.
Finn Mason finished 46th in Junior Men, but unfortunately Sam Chisholm crashed out, and we wish him a speedy recovery.
Despite the very un-Scottish temperature of 34C, Daisy Taylor claimed a great sixth place in the Girls U17 race, while Innes McDonald finished 16th in the Boys U17 race – a great learning curve for both riders in challenging conditions.
CiCle Classic
After April’s Men’s event, June sees the Women’s and Juniors turn on the gravel of Rutland. The race affectionately known as “Britain’s Belgian Classic” is usually a race of attrition, and 2022 was no different. With only a depleted bunch of 34 riders fighting out for the win, from a field of 108 starters.
Kate Richardson (Alba Development RT) claimed another Top 10 finish, with the 19-year-old finishing in eighth in Melton Mowbray. Beth Harley-Jepson (Jadan Vive-le-Velo) finished in 21st place, and claimed a much deserved can of IRN-BRU at the end of the 105km course.
Anna Flynn (Spectra-Wiggle p/b Vitus) in 26th place and the CAMS-Basso pairing of Becky Storrie and Beth Morrow finishing in 25th and 27th place respectively.
In the Junior event, Finn McHendry (The Cycling Academy) was the top Scot finishing in eighth place.
Baby Giro d’Italia
Oscar Onley (Team DSM) finished an excellent ninth place at the U23 Giro d’Italia – after claiming a brilliant seventh place on the queen stage. Sean Flynn (Tudor Pro Cycling) heavily featured on the flatter stages, finishing in seventh place on opening stage and Stage 4, as the Scot claimed three top 10’s at the prestigious race.
Brno Track Meet
Lauren Bell and Lusia Steele were in Great British Cycle Team action in Czechia as they prepare for the Commonwealth Games, which start in 40 days tomorrow for the track riders. Bell claimed a sixth place finish in the Keirin.
Scots Abroad
Route d’Occataine
Calum Johnston (Caja-Rural) rode a brace of French UCI races this week, with the Scot riding to 66th place on the slopes of Mont-Ventoux in the Mont-Ventoux Dénivelé Challenge.
The 23-year-old Glaswegian then gained more top-level experience with the Route d’Occaitaine in the French Alps, but had to abandon prior to the final stage due to stomach problems.
Rás Tailteann
Lee Rosie (Spokes RT) was the top Scot at the Rás Tailteann in Ireland, finishing in 21st overall as the Spokes RT squad of Rosie, Daniel Kain, Cameron Brown, Craig Paterson and Jacob Smith rode the de facto Tour of Ireland.
Tour Nivernais-Morvan
Alfie George (Vendée-U) wore the yellow jersey after winning the Stage 1 Team Time Trial at the D1 Tour de Nivernais-Morvan in France. As the local paper said the lead was “transferred over Hadrian’s Wall” in Stage 2, as the Scot lost the jersey to English rider Henry Lawton.
