Final of the Kinesis/SiS Scottish League

Merlin rider Iain Nimmo received an early Christmas Present on Sunday as he was gifted the final round of the Kinesis Scottish Cyclo-Cross League. With League leader, Stephen Jackson (Glasgow MBC) out of the Country and 2^nd placed Dan Whitehead missing, Nimmo required a win to leap from 3^rd spot and take the Overall League title. As the first lap got under way it was down to the in form pairing of up and coming under 23 riders Gareth Montgomery (Ride On) and Bruce McLeary (The Edge) to take the day win and block Nimmo from lifting the League title.

Montgomery got off on a flier leading out the first lap with a 5 second gap to a chasing group of McLeary, Nimmo and Stirling rider Kenny Kentley close in fourth. During the second, Nimmo and McLeary were back on Mongomeries wheel with Kentley losing the pace. While Nimmo opened a small gap going into the 3^rd McLeary had a costly slip at a wall jump, the Castle Douglas man's back wheel collided with the wall he was about to jump and crushed his rim. This left the solo chase to Mongomery who was now trailing Nimmo. On the fourth lap and 20 minutes gone Montgomery punctured near the end of the lap and was forced to take a bike change, this proved costly as Nimmo gained a 30 second advantage and saw his chance to open it up. The gap grew as the clock ticked and Nimmo crossed the line with a two-minute advantage covering 13 laps to clean up in the Scottish Cross season. Kentley retained third spot to claim his first podium place of the season whilst James Melville of Glasgow United claimed fourth. Montgomery's second place was not enough to clinch a league medal, the Ride On man had to settle for 4^th overall whilst Jackson slipped back to silver and Aberdeen man Whitehead held Bronze.

The woman's race saw the return of Scottish Champion Ruth McGavigan, on the start line for her first League race, the Pedal Power rider was never challenged as she powered round to lap the small woman's field and crashed through the finish line sustaining a heavily bruised hip (which I'm sure the Doc will sooth). A real boost for Scottish Cycling was the young talent of 'Youth' rider Catherine Niblock (Rik's Bike Shed) who laid down some stern warnings to the girls for next year as she stormed home in second place among the senior woman. Christine Allan took third which was enough to secure the overall League Victory. Fiona Walker took overall silver and McGavigan bronze.

Scotland's future hopes in the off road stakes look good with Junior rider Douglas Shearer (Stirling Bike Club) showing a sharp performance improvement this season, the Wheels of Callander rider stormed round to take victory in the Juniors and finished best in a sprint finish with James Melville to cross the line 4^th among the seniors. In the Youth event Kevin Barclay (Edinburgh Racers) is also proving a very strong young rider who looks well in control of his cross bike, both these riders finished the year with a double, taking both the Scottish Championship and League titles in their relevant categories. Also riding well in the youth category is Dumfries lad Ian Niblock who impressed the crowd with a strong second place riding a Mountain Bike in his first Cross race of the League.

A massive prize list was on offer on the day with Alpine Bikes of Glasgow providing the day prizes, mostly dispatched in a free raffle from day entries. Kinesis and Stirling Bike Club provided the League medals and trophy. A Kinesis Cyclo-Cross Frame and Fork combo was raffled using all the series entries and the proud winner was Glasgow's Andy Gowan. A big thanks also goes to Hardie Bikes / Wheels of Callander / Pedal Power / Sandy Wallace Cycles for their League assistance and prizes.

The League has been a big success with increased entries and most notably a massive increase in the number of Cyclo-Cross bikes in use, three years ago Scottish races saw only two or three cross bikes turning out whilst Mountain Bikes were regularly clearing up in the results, this has changed recently with the top finishers in all rounds this year on dedicated Cross bikes and more than half the field running skinny tires and curly bars. Racing has seen a great boost in the last couple of seasons thanks to the help and sponsorship from Scottish Bike Shops and companies like Kinesis and SiS, with continued coverage from the general media and increased support from the Union and our Cycling Clubs, Scotland will produce off road Champions on a bigger scale.

Top League Standings

SENIOR

WOMAN

JUNIOR

YOUTH

Back to Top

Feedback

Terms of Use