A busy weekend of racing action with Scots racing at the European Road Champs in the Netherlands, while the stars of the future took to the boards of the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome for the Inter-Regional Championships.
European Road Champs
Anna Shackley rode to an excellent silver medal in the Women’s Under 23 Road Race at the European Road Championships in Drenthe.
Despite being in the flattest country in Europe – the route suited puncheurs with the Col du VAM hosting the finish. Shackley found herself making the key selection on the final lap of the 13.7km circuit – riding herself into medal contention as the race fell to bits behind.
The U23 World Championship bronze medallist has been on strong form, after a seventh place at the Tour of Romandie last week and continues to impress in the big stage.
With just metres to go, Ilse Plumier of the Netherlands just managed to take a short lead, but it was enough to keep Shackley and third place Linda Zanetti out of contention for the title, with Shackley taking home a brilliant silver medal.
You can watch highlights here:
Sean Flynn and Mark Stewart were in action in the Elite Men’s race with the Scots coming home in 32nd and 69th place respectively.
Track Inter-Regionals
Johnstone Jets and the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome played host to the 2023 British Track-Interregional Championships with Scotland’s best youth racers going toe-to-toe with the best of the UK and Ireland.
The Scottish team consisted of the Edinburgh RC trio of Struan Shaw, Anna Birrell and Elliot Speedie who were joined by Adam Murray (East Kilbride RC), Evan Marsh (Johnstone Jets), Melanie Rowe (Deeside Thistle CC), Erin Boothman (East Kilbride RC) and Eve Fairbairn (Discovery Junior CC). The team was managed by Steven Moore and former Team Scotland rider Lusia Steele.
A great two days of racing saw the Scottish team come home in second place just behind Yorkshire with a litany of great performances.
Anna Birrell took home the Sprint victory, while the girls Team Sprint saw Team Scotland take home the win and the British record (subject to ratification) with a time of 55.385.
Melanie Rowe claimed the Points Race win in style after gaining two laps on the field, while Erin Boothman won out in the Tempo Race. Struan Shaw claimed a bronze in the Boys Scratch.
A huge thanks to the Jets, and the team of volunteers and officials for making the weekend’s racing possible.
British Downhill Series
The Series finale of the British Downhill Series took place at Antur Stiniog in Snowdonia National Park in the North West of Wales, with several Scots in action.
Unfortunately, inclement weather meant the race runs were cancelled, however, the seeding runs were used as the final standings.
Nina Yves-Cameron (West Highland Wheelers) claimed third in the Female Junior category, whileHeather Wilson (Tay Titans) claimed the Female 13-16 victory with Olivia Taylor (West Highland Wheelers) in third.
JGCC Road Race
Fenwick in Ayrshire played host to the JG Cycles Road Race on Sunday, it was junior rider Tyler Clare (Inverness CC) who claimed the victory, from Marcin Kirsz (Veloclub Edinburgh) in second and Colin Dyer (Vanelli-Project GO) in third.
Kingdom Crits
To conclude the ActiveFife series of bike races supporting the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, Fife Cycle Park held two days of circuit racing action, with racing for youth and senior riders.
Full Results can be found by clicking the link below
Paris Test Event
The Paris Olympic MTB XC course received a first visit by many of the world’s best cross-country riders for the official test event, only 10 months out from the Olympic Games in France.
Newly crowned Under 23 UCI World Champion Charlie Aldridge (Cannondale FR) will be among those in the hunt for selection for Team GB. The Scot came home in 17th place in the Elite Men’s race just outside the French capital.
Tour de Langkawi
The Malaysian stage race is no stranger to Scots riding with Brian Smith and the late Richard Moore among those to have the UCI 2.Pro level race. The 2023 edition sees Calum Johnston as the sole Scot on the start list, riding for Caja Rural.
Johnston spent Stage 2 in the breakaway in Kota Bharu on his way to winning the most aggressive rider award.
The race continues tomorrow morning with Johnston 40 seconds off the lead in the general classification as the Tour heads into the high mountains.
