CrossLove

The weather had threatened to do its worst, but the rain mostly stayed away for the inaugural CrossLove cyclocross race and pumptrack challenge (part of Endura Tweedlove) on Friday night at St Ronans Primary School, Innerleithen.

The U12s were the first up, racing for 15mins on a shortened version of the cyclocross course around the grounds of the school. Cameron Mason rode strongly leading from start to finish, taking the win ahead of Anna McGowen and Elena McGowan. All the kids got up to the podium after the race, receiving a cowbell each for their efforts.

The main cyclocross race of the evening kicked off at 7.45pm with 45mins of racing plus 1 lap of the full course. Steve Halsall (VC Moulin) shot of the start line, quickly opening up a significant gap on the chasing riders over lap 1. On lap 2 Gary Macrae (Leslie Bikes) and Greig Walker (VC Moulin) moved up to join Halsall at the front of the race. An untimely puncture ended Halsall's race leaving Macrae and Walker to battle it out for the win. Spectators were treated to a fantastic dual over the remainder of the race, with Macrae only finally forging ahead on his own on the penultimate lap to take the overall race win and first Vet win. Walker finished strongly just 8 seconds later with young gun Callum Foster (U16, Leslie Bikes) doing a great rider to finish 3rd overall and first junior.

Great Britain junior mtb rider Katy Winton (Kinesis – Morvelo) rode strongly and smoothly to take the win in the Women’s category ahead of Maddie Robinson (VC Moulin) in 2nd.

Prize presentations finished the evening off with additional prizes kindly provided by the Damn Good Jam Company (chilli jam for the hottest riders!) and Cocoa Black.

Pumptrack Challenge
Alongside the cyclocross race, the good folk from local companies Bike Track People and Ridelines hosted the Tweedlove Pumptrack Challenge. Who would be fasted around the portable wooden pumptrack? 10 lap time trials were followed by knock out two up pursuits around the track, with Peebles based rider Brodie Hood winning the final up against Chris Kennedy (Earlston mtb club) in front of a great crowd.

Overall, a great night of bike racing. Huge thanks to St Ronans Primary School for the venue and the PTA for serving up hot food and drinks.

Cyclocross Podiums
U16s:
1st – Jamie Mason

Junior Men:
1st – Callum Foster
2nd – Peter Douglas

Women:
1st – Katy Winton
2nd – Maddie Robinson

Vet Men:
1st – Gary Macrae
2nd – Hans Forhaug
3rd – Gordon Traynor

Senior Men:
1st – Greig Walker
2nd – Gordon Mackenzie
3rd – Simon Kirkness

Results – Pumptrack Challenge
1st – Brodie Hood
2nd – Chris Kennedy
3rd – Ewan Mackay

Best Spill: Brodie Hood