Scottish Riders shine at the 3 Peaks

Ishbel Strathdee. Photo by Pete Aylward (licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0)

A strong contingent of Scottish riders headed south yesterday to test themselves in the 58th 3 Peaks cyclocross - the hardest CX race on the planet.

Cold but calm weather with a bit a mist and drizzle on the tops gave good conditions for racing.  The first of our riders home was Gary MacDonald of Nevis Cycles RT who mixed it up at the front of the race to eventually come in 5th in just over the 3hr mark after getting lost in the mist at one point and riding much of the route on his own.

But it was in the women’s field that the Scottish riders really showed their strength with podium places in all the age catergories.  Ishbel Strathdee smashed it in her first go at the event winning the U23 category and setting a course record of 4hrs 28 seconds which took 20 minutes off the previous best.  That time also took her to 3rd place in the female open category. These results were built on being the fastest descender in the women's field.

Close on her heels was the Fort William based multi-sports star Marie Meldrum who was 6th in the open female and 2nd in the FV40s with a time of 4hrs and 4 minutes.  Christine Fischer of Stirling Bikes also rode strongly to take 7th place in the FV40s.  In the FV50 category Caroline Harvey of PCC took 3rd place in her first attempt at the race with Katy Boocock of Highland Hill Runners coming in 4th.

Completing his 11th outing at the event Ali Dow showed his continued good form with 5th place in the V60 category. Ishbel Strathdee had one final trip to make to the top of the podium as she placed first in the parent and daughter category along with her dad  (beating all the parent and son teams in the process). Well done to all our riders on such great results and a huge thank you to Mark RIchmond and his team of highly proficient volunteers for putting on such an awesome event.   

Full results at https://www.sportident.co.uk/results/3PeaksCycloCross/2022/3PeaksCycloCross/