Charlie Aldridge claimed a gold and silver medal at the European U23 Mountain Bike Championships in Portugal over the weekend, while fast times were set at the #SCNatChamps in the Olympic Time Trial in Hawick, while the British National Series was in full swing for youth and senior riders on the road down South.
Olympic Time Trial Championships
Hawick CC hosted the Scottish National Olympic Time Trial Championships, with Michelle Short and Matthew Downie taking top step of the podium.
European U23 MTB Champs
Charlie Aldridge had some weekend in Anadia, with two trips onto the podium at the UEC European Mountain Bike Championships.
Friday’s saw the Scot, who has previously been crowned World Champion at Junior level, claim the European Elite XCC Title as he rode to magnificent win in the short-track event.
The Crieff rider started on the front row and found himself in a four-way fight with the Spanish rider David Campos, as well as Alex Balmer (Switzerland) and Jarne Vandersteen (Belgium). The Scot was able to power away from the three chasers and ride to a great victory, with fellow Scot Corran Carrick-Anderson finishing in an excellent fifth, showing the strength of Scottish mountain biking.
Sunday was the turn of the U23 Cross Country, where there was another great ride by Aldridge to claim a silver medal, narrowly missing out to Simone Avondetto (Italy) by ten seconds.
His compatriot Cameron Mason produced another great ride through the field from 32nd in the field to finish 13th, with Corran Carrick-Anderson scoring another Top 20 finish. Meanwhile in the U23 Women’s, Elena McGorum rode to 27th place.
In the Mixed Relay, the British team comprising of six rider including three Scots – Elena McGorum, Cameron Mason and Anna Flynn – were able to finish fifth.
British Road & Circuit Series
Sunday saw the latest round of the British National Road Series, with the Stockton Grand Prix in Teeside. However, a number of Covid positives did condense the field, with the Alba Development Road Team being one of the teams affected.
In the women’s race, Beth Morrow (CAMS-Basso) helped set up a win for teammate Jessica Finney and rode to another strong top 10 finish.
In the men’s race, Finn Crockett (Ribble-Weldtite) returned from Covid-19 to finish in an excellent sixth place, with the Scot being joined by in-form Callum Thornley (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli) in the attacking move. The younger Scot eventually finishing in the bunch in 18th place.
Ilkley played host to the latest round of the British Circuit Series in the week, with the aforementioned Morrow and Kate Richardson (Alba RT) finishing top Scots in 13th and 14th place, respectively.
In the men’s race, Callum Thornley (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli) rode to another impressive result with an eighth-place finish.
British Youth Circuit Series
The British Youth Circuit Series visited the English capital with the London 2-day. Melanie Rowe scored the overall win in the Youth B girls with consistent riding. Third on Stages 1 and 3 and then a great victory on Stage 2 was enough to claim top honours.
In the Youth A girls, Arabella Blackburn (Deeside Thistle) finished third overall after claiming a third-place finish on Stage 3. Erin Boothman (East Kilbride RC) finish third on stage 1 and 2.
The Youth A boys saw Elliot Rowe (Deeside Thistle) claim a strong sixth on the overall with a win on stage 3. While Adam Murray (East Kilbride) claimed a third on the final stage at Kent Cyclopark.
British Marathon Cross Country Series
This weekend saw the inaugural British Marathon Cross-country Series round at Pippingford in England, Rab Wardell scored an excellent fourth place finish.
