|
SCU
XC 02 Round 4 - Aviemore
 The
forth round of the Scottish Cross-Country Series was held
at Aviemore on Sunday. The course used the same route as last
years, but was far from similar. Last year saw the venue proclaimed
one of the best circuits in the series. Not the kind of guys
to sit back and rest on this, the team at Bothy Bikes who
organised the event went one better by piling in some heavy
hours and shovelling more than a few ton of sand to improve
the already awesome course. The sand had been shipped in to
stabilise the groggy sections while some cool switchbacks
and wee technical drops had been added to spice up the downhill.
Top marks to Paul and the guys in the Bothy.
 Racing
proved fast on the new and improved course with the leading Junior Robert Wardell (Sandy Wallace) putting in a 24 minute
lap to kick off the proceedings. Robert went on to hold
his
lead and take the win from his closest rival and "Big
Brother"
David Wardell (Sandy Wallace) with a two minute margin.
The woman's race saw an upset at the front with Ruth McGavigan
(Pedal Power) losing out to Irish visitor Jenny Mc Cauley
who took the win an incredible 1hr 46 ahead of Ruth with Liz
Watson (Mid Lothian R T) coming home in 3rd.
Masters racing is proving a real battle this year with Kenny
Kently (Velo Eccosse) and Steph Martin (Full Mental/Riks Bike
Shed). Sunday saw Steph taking the advantage on the climbs
and keeping a cool head on the descents to take the win over
Kently with a margin of 3 minutes. Steph's son Dean Martin
also cleaned up in the sprogs race for a family double.
 The
Elite Category saw a good size field, which included the return
of James Frazer (Pedal Power) and Iain Nimmo (Merlin/Rocklobster)
both missing for the previous two rounds. The two riders took
the bull by the horns after a steady start up the first climb,
which saw the field bunched together for the fist quarter
mile. It was near the top of the climb where Moodie made the
first move with Nimmo on his wheel and Chris Murley (Sandy
Wallace) in third.
By the mid point of the first lap Moodie and Nimmo had opened
up a gap on Murley. It was at this point Moodie was struck
with a mechanical leaving Nimmo to lead onto the second lap
with Murley chasing in second while holding off the challenge
from third placed Craig Hardie (Hardie Bikes).
 The
end of the second lap saw Murley close Nimmo down as the two
riders passed the start finish. This was short lived as Nimmo
pulled out another gap by the third. The Merlin rider then
held his lead through the fourth and fifth to take the win
in 1hr 46 for 5 laps. Murley held off the close attentions
of series leader Hardie to snatch second, while Gareth Montgomery
(Global) put in a good ride to take fourth ahead of Chris
Cole (Midlothian RT).
Top Marks to Matt and the organising crew for laying on a
sweet event.
Janet Innes (Stirling Bike Club roving (and soon to be driving!)
race reporter)
|
