The Full Monty
Pedal Powered Victory For Montgomerie
Article:John McComisky
Images: Velosportive (Rob Simpson)
Sunday January 5th saw the third edition of the Biggest Cyclocross race in Scotland take on the Bo'ness Shoreline and Bo'ness Dock area. Dig In at the Dock Cyclocross race lived up to all the hype and excitement of previous years with a massive crowd of cycling fans, racers and townsfolk soaking up the heady atmosphere of all that is good about cycling.
The Pedal Power sponsored event brought out the very best Scottish professional riders to pit their skills against a 123 strong field on the day, some of whom it would be the first ever cycling race they have ever taken part in.
With even the weather behaving itself for the afternoon, the scene was set for some fun and frolics from the noisy, appreciative 1000 strong crowd who turned the shore into a colourful, carnival of Cyclocross, many dressing up, playing trombones, banging drums and ringing out the free cowbells provided by the race sponsors. They were to be treated to a fast but muddy course that not only took in the now famous Bo'ness cobbles but the surrounding shoreline and Harbour area.
Straight from the blast of the gun, Commonwealth Games hopeful Rab Wardell (Orange Monkey Pro Team) set off with International riders Gareth Montgomerie (Pedal Power) , David Lines (Starley-Primal) and the impressive Gary McCrae (Leslie Bikes/Bikers Boutique) to form a fast train, who soon had battered the remaining 100 plus riders into oblivion.
The fast pace of the race the race meant that all over the course, riders were soon locked together freight train style along the quayside, and groups of racers were soon having very personal little battles of their own to stay upright and take on the slippery course and running sections.
While the top lads were slugging it out, diminutive Isla Short (Team Thomsons) was bossing the female category, using the event in preparation for next weekends British Championships in Derby. Short showed a very clean pair of heels to fend off Scottish Ridley Series winner Maddy Robinson (Velo Club Moulin), who despite getting her war paint of provided by the face-painters, could not close the gap, but did enough to keep the impressive Edinburgh teenager Emma Borthwick (Tri-Centre) in third slot.
With the hour race in full swing and thumping entertainment provided by a 15 piece Samba band (Sambalistic) the rhythm of the race was culminating in an exciting finale as leaders Montgomerie, Lines and McCrae steamed onto the last lap, with the ever present Wardell closing them down despite a pit stop for a wheel change
As the enthusiastic crowd craned their necks in the arena, it was to be a perfect hollywood ending for an arms raised Gareth Montgomerie who took the win for event sponsor Pedal Power took the race win and the £100 first prize haul, he also received the adulation of the crowd and a ceremonial Dig In a the the Dock cowbell, to score a victory at the Bo'ness event for the first time in three years of trying. Falkirk's favourite Fireman lit up second place from an impressive Scottish Champion winning Veteran McCrae, who kept the younger riders very honest..
In the Junior Class sponsored by Bo'ness towns Jimmy Smellie, Harry Johnston (Team Thomsons) rode well to keep West Lothian team mate Jamie Mason in second with a fantastic podium form Ruari Yeoman (East Kilbride Road Club).
Awards were also won in the Over 40 & 50 classes with Granite City racer Alastair Watt and Velo Club Edinburgh's Malcolm Dunlop taking the spoils
The organisers have so many people to thank but in on a local level the public of Boness who came down and supported the race, and make the atmosphere and a family friendly race possible.
The Falkirk Community Trust for giving permission to hold the race in the Dock Area, Falkirk Council for preparing the course area beforehand.
The event thrives not only in local community, but also all over the world with massive interest from the International Cyclocross community.
The event organisers Dave Hamill and John McComisky wish to also thank the following for supporting this not for profit event:
Jonny McBain (Pedal Power), Endura, Ridley/Lazer/Madison, Big Bobble Hats, The Grange Kitchen, Billy McCord, Alpine Bikes, Costa Cycling, Doctor Peter Ward, Andrew Bell, East Kilbride Road Club, Anthony Robson, Denise Schoefield, Meadowlark Yoga, Jimmy Smellie, and all the trade and volunteer marshals and first aid.
