Plean Country Park - Race Report
Results | Pictures | Pain Sunday saw Stirling Bike Club host the first Cyclo-Cross race of 2002, in a follow up to the successful event the Club put on back in July the winter event proved just as popular. Three Stirling riders emerged with results on the Day with Iain Nimmo (Merlin Rocklobster / Stirling BC) taking the win in the senior event while Kenny Kently (Velo Ecosse / Stirling BC) took 3rd. Douglas Sheerer (Wheels of Callander / Stirling BC) also had a tremendous race and not only took second in his first Junior category race but finished an excellent 7th overall among the Seniors to push Leasure Lakes / Stirling BC) rider Steve McEwan back into 8th after a storming last lap. This sets young Douglas up well for his move into the Junior category when the Mountain Bike season starts again in March.
 The
race started at an exceptional pace with Dave Wardell (Sandy
Wallace Cycles) setting the tempo after taking the lead from
Kently halfway round the first of seven laps showing young
Douglas and Robert Wardell what to expect in their move up
to the big boys next season. It was on the second lap however
that Nimmo made his move and took the lead from Steven Couper
(Glasgow United) who had pushed ahead of Wardell.
As Kently and Wardell along with Frenchman Frederick Morriston
(SC Abets) fell off the pace Nimmo started to open a gap with Glasgow's Couper
trailing at 20 seconds. The gap remained constant until the 6th lap
which saw Nimmo put the hammer down opening the gap up to 2 minutes to take
the win in 1:02:24. Couper held in for 2nd, while Morreston lost
out in a late battle with Stirling man Kenny kently in a hot sprint for 3rd.
David Wardell paid for his early efforts dropping back to 5th place
among the seniors which was plenty to secure victory in the Junior Cat. His
brother Robert didn't fair so well as he dropped out after 3 laps suffering
from a cold.
Allistair Miller continued his domination of a small Youth field while Christine Allan cruised to a solo victory in the women. The sprogs who braved the winter damp secured some lovely prizes thanks to the local Halfords store. Rebekka Thompson won the big girls race while her younger sister Nadia secured the wee girls event after a brave recovery from a tumble at the first corner to cross the line a tear drop down on big boys champion Conner McLean. Thanks to Halfords for providing some kids helmets for the Sprogs race. Also a big shout of thanks to Martin Steele for providing the beer for some spot prizes. Iain Nimmo
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