It was all about cyclocross this weekend, as our riders did battle on Tyneside and on the continent.
National Cyclocross Trophy Round Three, South Shields
Reuben Oakley bounced back from, what by his high standards, was a below par effort in Falkirk last weekend to take a stunning victory on the coast in South Shields. On a fast but slippy course, Oakley was to the fore throughout, using his superior finishing speed to go get the better of his rivals in the closing stages and get his arms in the air for sweet victory. That effort, coupled with fourth at the opening round in Derby, puts him top of the series standards and in yellow for the next round all the way down in Torbay at the end of November.
On the female side there was a brilliant ride by first year junior Daisy Taylor to bag her first National Trophy podium in this age group as she took third, in contention the whole way. There was yet another solid ride from Emily Carrick-Anderson who was just two places back in fifth. In the senior’s, Jane Barr was the best of the Scots in 11th place in the Elite Women’s race, with Ishbel Strathdee two places further back.
In the younger age groups there was double delight in the U14 races - Pentland Racers Gus Lawson took a dominant victory in the boy’s race, with Olivia Poole following suit in the female equivalent. Poole’s Deeside Thistle teammate Arabella Blackburn also took a fine runner-up finish in the U16 Women’s race.
UCI Cyclocross World Cup, Maasmechelen
Perth’s Rory McGuire donned the Great Britain jersey once again to contest the U23 World Cup in Belgium, where in a stacked field he battled well to finish up 27th, just one place a a handful of seconds behind teammate and leading Brit Bjoern Koerdt.
Track League
Glasgow Track League continued in earnest on Friday night, with Daniel Kain the big winner as he took a trio of victories in Group A, getting the better of his opponents in the 25 lap Scratch, the Points and the Elimination Race. There is a now a short break before the league resumes for round five at the end of November.
