Cyclocross the winner on a classic day at West Lothian Cycle Circuit
Linlithgow put on a brilliant day of cyclocross as it made it’s HUPcc Scottish Cyclocross Series debut, a technically testing course serving up some thrilling close racing.
Perhaps the race of the day was the combined Female race, Ishbel Strathdee getting the better of rising star Arabella Blackburn out of the final corner to take the overall victory, Blackburn having to settle for the junior win.
Aberdeenshire native Arabella, looking resplendent in her new Trinity Racing kit, would start 30 seconds ahead of Strathdee, and in the early laps would only extended that gap, chased hard by another emerging talent in the form of Freya Mowbray. Strathdee meanwhile would acquaint herself with the ground on of few occasions on lap one, before swapping onto mud tyres, which would make all the difference.
Heading into the final couple of laps the gap was back under 30 seconds and the older rider, with more endurance, was making in-roads. With one lap to go the HUPcc rider was just 15 seconds in arrears, and would make the catch, and pass, on the tricky off camber with a quarter of a lap to go, as Blackburn made a small error.
The youngster wasn’t about to be beaten lying down though, and a few corners later would regain the lead, and use her track power to get a small gap into the final ‘central reservation’ banking, which was proving quickest via a combination of running and riding. Strathdee was perhaps the quicker runner, but Blackburn had played it smart getting in front.
However it was HUPcc rider that would play the final ace card, remounting before the last corner, meaning she could get up to speed quickest to take the final tarmac sprint, where in a straight drag race you’d have backed the youngster. A thrilling race, which those looking on thoroughly enjoyed.
Strathdee would take the top step on the podium ahead of a trip to Belgium next weekend, with Stirling University student Lotta Mansfield second and Vanelli-Project Go’s Lettie McDonald third. In the Juniors Blackburn and Mowbray were first and second, with Deeside Thistle’s Harriet Hendry rounding out the podium.
Madeline Pope and Alison Brown were familiar and clear winners in the 40s and 60s, whilst Megan Mowbray had to work hard to take another series win in the 50s, with Caroline Harvey and Tracy Wilkinson-Begg both within 20 seconds of the winner.
That thriller set the tone for a great day of both racing and cyclocross generally, a bumper field of nearly 500 in action, with lots of praise for the atmosphere (thanks to Alan Anderson for his tunes and chat) and the course, which required a complete cross rider. Well done to Falkirk Junior Bike Club and West Lothian Clarion for their efforts.
The Junior and V40 Open combined race was next up, Innes McDonald a cut above the rest – he would take an impressive victory ahead of home rider Gregor Calvert and Henry O’Brien. In the 40s Davie Lines would take the win, throttling back on the final lap with the Senior race to come, with Brian McCardle second and Scott Smith in third.
So, to that Senior race that rounded out proceedings, and it was another cracker. Scottish Champ Lewis Martin managed to keep his white kit clean, despite lap changes to clear the tread on his tyres, and keep his record of clean sweeps in 2024, as he opened up a 90 second winning margin.
Behind though there were some enthralling battles. With the wind less of a factor than on previous editions of the race it was the off-camber sections - as predicted by Fraser Johnston – that were proving decisive. Through the day we saw a number of different run, bike and dab techniques deployed by riders, with mixed success, but as the mud got tacky the Senior Open riders perhaps had it easiest!
The final test came on that central bank in the track centre where decisions to stay on and when to get off would undoubtedly shape a rider’s lap and race. As in the women’s race, this would often decide the outcome and it did once again in race for second place. Early issues left series leader Charles Fletcher and Hope’s William Weatherill with work to do – they would only catch and pass long-time second placer Milo McIntosh with two laps to go – the young Cycling Academy rider would end up fourth.
For Fletcher and Weatherill it was a ding-dong battle until the death – Fletcher leading and nailing the final banking, allowing him to open up his sprint first and hold off his rival in style. It was a similar story back through the field, which was of a very high calibre.
Kick-starting the day were the Youth races for U16s and U14s, with Xander Graham using his technical ability to take his first win in the Open U16s in fine style, Rhuairdh Fulton a close second and Arran Drackford third. Josh Stewart was once again the Open U14s winner, but Gregor McNaught produced a great ride for second, Guy Rorke third.
In the Female races Mairi Dowens produced the standout ride to win the U16s by over a minute from Zara Main and Emma Campbell, whilst Emma Nicholson was the victor in the U14s, Eilidh Scally second and Isla Reekie coming home in a fine third.
A large field got away fast and clean in the Open 50/60 race, with the series leaders ensuring that they hit the mogels first, and at speed to give themselves the best chance of success. A bone rattling section gave way to the first passage of the pits before diving down to the trees; for those that were brave enough to let the bike run and hold both their nerve and line on the corners, they would start to open up gaps on those around them.
There was no surprise to see Dougie Cameron out front in the V50s, as has been the case all series long, and he would go on to win by some 30 seconds, the slippy, technically challenging course keep things close, as Douglas Sharp and James Melville rounded out the podium.
It was even tighter in the V60s, Kenny Kentley getting the better of Brendan Roe, with Neil Raitt rounding out the podium, but there were brilliant battles throughout the field, in this and every race of the day.
Once again the U12s, U10s and U8s would enjoy some great racing on a specific shorter course – this wouldn’t happen without the support of our U12 working group, and an army of volunteers and parents. If you can spare some time to help out at either of the final two series rounds this season, please let us know via hello@scottishcx.org.uk
If you haven’t already, get your entries in for Chatelherault and Irvine – if they’re anything like today we’re in for a great series finale. Irvine, which doubles up as the Scottish Champs, also has team relays the day before – enter those here.
