A day of two halves as Storm Ashley tests riders at Brechin

Conditions were the topic of the day as Brechin once again put on a memorable edition of the HUPcc Scottish Cyclocross Series.

BECX is getting a reputation for putting on great cyclocross racing, Clive and Neil taking their traditionally challenging course and uping the ante! The weather also was looking to get in on the act too, and with strong winds and driving rain the early racing making the course extremely muddy in places, as the racing resembled Namur at times.

The Youth riders led us off in foreboding conditions, with any thoughts amongst the onlooking older riders about ‘not being up for it’ dispelled by an enthusiastic start in these races, our younger riders getting stuck in and showing everyone how it’s done.

Having missed Muir of Ord last time out, Zara Main wasted no time in reminding everyone of her rising status on the Scottish cross scene, as she delivered a commanding win, building her advantage over the 40 minutes of racing, only Millie Boothman managed to finish on the same lap. The U14s also joined the U16s in the same race, and sticking with the female racing it was Emma Nicholson, who like Main, returned to the fold with a win, however unlike Main the winning margin was much tighter, just seven seconds separating her from Eilidh Scally. Boo Williams and Ella McQueen would tie up the next two spots, with the series still very much anyone’s for the taking.

In the Open equivalents it was Muir of Ord winners Arran Drackford and Josh Stewart who once again took top billing. Drackford took the U16 race by 23 seconds over Xander Graham, choosing not to leave it to a sprint finish like we saw last weekend. Rhuairdh Fulton would complete the podium. Racing with their elders, the U14s would use their older peers to get the best out of themselves, Gregor McNaught and Sam Kingan securing the two remaining podium spots.

Shortly after, the Under 12's races got underway on a separate course. Again, some enthusiastic racing was shown by all in what was perhaps the most challenging conditions of the day – hats off to them all. Results from that one here.

Next up was the Open 50s and 60s, most of the large field reluctant to part with their jackets at the start line as they waited in desperate conditions. No sooner were they underway and we had a crash, a handful of riders getting tangled up in each other as they tried to get away.

The main course had ‘suffered’ from the practice laps churning it up, yet the trench, sunken lane and terraces were still being ridden by many. The new hill however - whether it was due to the steepness or conditions underfoot – saw many trudging up it!

Whilst the conditions may have come as a shock to many after a pair of lightning quick open rounds to the series, the winners weren’t surprising, Douglas Cameron well clear in the V50s and Brendan Roe taking the 60s.

Next up was the Female race, combining all categories, and whilst the weather had improved dramatically, the course conditions hadn’t, favouring those with a strong technical skillset. The Senior and Junior races were a bit of a who’s who of Scottish cross, a pair of GB mountain bikers and GB track and road specialist Arabella Blackburn all to the fore early on, with Blackburn going on to take the Junior win, as well as third overall.

In the Senior race Anna Flynn made a flying start to her cyclocross season, an outrageously quick opening lap seeing her away and clear – she wouldn’t be caught as she took the win. It was another classy rider in the form of Ishbel Strathdee who would come home in second, just over a minute in arrears, whilst third place in the category would go to first year U23 Daisy Taylor.

Squeezing into the top 10 overall were Madeleine Pope – winner of the 40s – and Caroline Harvey and Tracy Wilkinson-Begg, top two in the 50s. 12th place Helen Winton would once again take a classy win in the 60s. Undoubtedly the females were the race of the day.

Next up we had the Open Junior and Vet 40s race, and whilst there might have been a hint of sunshine the sky, the course was showing the effects of the days racing. A frantic start saw an inevitable slowing of the pace as the technical sections and hilly segments bit hard. That said there were some incredible displays of skill, with the Juniors in particular keen to bunny hop the equestrian themed planks.

The obstacles of previous years were definitely being felt by the V40 field, but this drew out some incredible displays of technical skill, with the bridge descent in particular being approached in all different manners as the race went on.

Leading the field home were two juniors, Gregor Calvert taking the win from Ross Easthaugh, before V40 winner Brian McCardle just edged out junior third placer Edward Lindsay. Scott Smith and David Ogden would round out the Vet podium.

The curtain was brought down on an incredible day of racing with the Open Senior race, which saw more drama.

Off the start line series leader Charles Fletcher snapped his chain, with further commotion as his spare bike was on the wrong side of the pits. Unfortunately for the Borders man a second mechanical took him out of the race for good, leaving the overall wide open with three races to go.

There was perhaps no surprise as to the winner, Lewis Martin, now one of the best in Britain, coming home almost three minutes clear of the rest. William Weatherill would take second, again three minutes up on the next finisher, Deeside’s Neil Scott.

All in all, a fabulous day of racing, only made possible by the incredible team of volunteers and marshalls who braved the conditions.

Next up we head for Linlithgow on Sunday 3rd November – entries here.

Full results can be found here.