Established

1981

Helpers 25 & Audrey Gault Memorial 10 - 23/31 August 2008

Elgin Cycling Club riders have been on fire during the last two events, perhaps inspired by the efforts of our Olympic heroes in Beijing. In the first, the Ross-Shire Roads promotion 25-mile time trial, Duncan Gillies and David Hutcheson lined up against a quality field. Gillies, now back to full training, showed signs of form from several years back and stormed past the timekeeper in 59:29 for 8th place. However, it was 16 year old David Hutcheson who impressed the most. Smashing his previous best by over 9 minutes he stopped the clock in 1:05:30 to comfortably win the handicap prize. The first two riders also recorded personal bests with Peter Ettles, Forres CC, getting the better of Michael Nicolson, Moray Firth CC, recording 53:15 and 54:18 respectively. The next event was the Audrey Gault Memorial 10-mile time trial promoted by Forres Cycling Club where Hutcheson was joined in the Elgin line up by Kevan Sturgeon, George Findlater and Gary Reid. The Audrey Gault trophy is awarded to the fastest North rider on handicap and this year it went to young David Hutcheson. His time of 25:13, another PB, was also good enough for 9th overall and just reward for all his hard work over the season. However, the Elgin performance of the day came from Kevan Sturgeon who produced a lifetime best at the distance and finished 3rd fastest with 23:27 in his last race of the season. Ian Humphries, Deeside Thistle, was the winner in 22:44 followed closely by Paul Black, Edinburgh Road Club with 22:51. George Findlater had a solid ride to record 25:08 whilst Gary Reid was disappointed with his 28:14.

 

 

Scottish Cycling 12-hour Championship & Vets Road Race Championship - 17/24 August 2008

Elgin Cycling Club had 3 riders entered into the gruelling Scottish 12-hour championship last weekend in the Ross and Cromarty area but in the end only one was flying the Club honours. Al Sutton had not recovered from a recent virus and pulled out at the last minute leaving Gary Reid and Peter McLean on the start line. A mainly warm and sunny day greeted the riders but a strong prevailing wind made life difficult. In the early stages Reid rode very well, although perhaps starting too fast, and caught many of the early starters. However, after 3 hours back pain slowed his progress and he tried 2 bike changes in desperation for a more comfortable position. He eventually had to accept defeat and abandoned after nearly eight hours. On the other hand, the more experienced McLean knew he had to ride at a steady tempo whilst leaving something in the tank for the latter stages. This he did in style and after the allotted time smashed his previous best by around 3 miles. Covering 212.03 miles McLean was 13th overall and won the award for 2nd handicap. Silver medallist last year Carlos Riise, Shetland Wheelers, moved up a place to lift the title with 268.17 miles, almost 20 miles ahead of Kenny Kently of Team Velo Ecosse in second place. Christine McLean made it a double for Shetland Wheelers when she took the woman’s title but it was very close. Her 225.86 miles was less than half a mile better than Louisa Edmonston of Edinburgh Road Club. There was more success for the Club the previous week in the Scottish Veterans road race championship over a 65-mile course at Alford. George Findlater was the sole representative in a quality field but this did not phase him. Findlater won the over 50’s category in a blanket sprint finish to lift the title. The race and over 40’s winner was the defending champion John Kermode of Dundee Thistle.

 

 

Scottish Cycling 100, Cromarty 25, Dundee Th 25 & British Emergency Services Road Race Championships - 3/10 August 2008

Two Elgin Cycling Club riders have hit top form in recent weeks. Peter McLean and Kevan Sturgeon represented the Club in the Cromarty Firth 25-mile time trial. Sturgeon has returned after a mid-season break much stronger and secured a top 10 spot. For the second time this season he has bettered his fastest ever time in the North with 1.01.04. McLean, who prefers the longer distances, was within half a minute of his personal best with a 1.10.06 - the fastest time he has produced in 3 years. Barry McGurk of Team Icarus won the event with 53.52 just ahead of Jim Cusick, Glasgow Couriers, 54.08. The previous week McLean was joined by Al Sutton in the Scottish Cycling 100-mile time trial championship. Sutton unfortunately had to pull out after 10 miles due to illness leaving McLean to salvage the Club honours. This he did in style by producing his second best time ever - 5.13.22, which also won him the prize for second on handicap. Jim Cusick was victorious on this occasion with 3.54.41 beating Carlos Riise, Shetland Wheelers, by only 10 seconds. Christine McLean, also Shetland Wheelers, set a new Scottish female veterans record with a time of 4.23.10. Meanwhile, Duncan Gillies travelled to Dundee for the Glamis 25-mile time trial and posted a time of 1.00.34 which gave him 4th spot behind winner Silas Goldsworthy in 57.10. Road racer Gareth Luce also produced a great result in the British Emergency Services road race championships at Glasgow. His 10th position was not too far behind winner Jon Sturman of Derwentside CC.

 

 

NoSCA 10 & Garve 25 - 26/27 July 2008

Clachnacuddin CC hosted the North of Scotland 10-mile time trial championship on the hilly Moy circuit near Daviot on Saturday. Whilst not known as a ‘fast’ course Michael Nicolson of Glasgow Wheelers smashed the course record with a time of 21.26. The North title however went to Peter Alexander, Moray Firth CC, in 22.23. Elgin CC riders were also amongst the prize money with David Hutcheson winning the Youth title in 27.33 and Duncan Gillies the second fastest veteran in 24.31. Al Sutton also rode and recorded a respectable 26.46. The following morning Moray Firth CC promoted a 25-mile time trial on a new course between Garve and Auchnasheen. The conditions were ideal but the undulating course took its toll on many riders. Michael Nicolson make it a clean sweep, this time by setting the course record, and clinched the win in a time of 55.12 just ahead of James Millar, Dooleys RT, 55.49. Duncan Gillies produced an excellent ride of 1.1.35, justifying his new bike ahead of Kevan Sturgeon in 1.3.09. Mark Houliston, who narrowly missed his starting time, struggled to find any speed and past the timekeeper in 1.9.16. There was further success for Al and Julie Sutton on the tandem. The husband and wife pairing, subject to ratification, set a new North and Scottish age related record for the 25 miles. Their time of 1.8.16 was marginally faster than the second tandem team from Clachnacuddin CC, father and daughter Gordon Lawrie and Kirsteen Williamson, 1.8.24.

 

 

Skelly Trophy 50m TT - 19 July 2008

Elgin Cycling Club sent a team of four riders to the Skelly Trophy 50-mile time trial at Invergordon last Saturday evening and they returned with contrasting results. The temperature rose steadily through the day and the early rain cleared but there remained a strong northerly wind to test the riders. The best ride from the Elgin quartet without question came from Peter McLean. His recent Lands End to John O’Groats run provided the endurance and he stopped the clock at 2.28.57 to record his second best time ever and won the prize for third on handicap. Long distance guru Al Sutton, making a rare appearance on a race bike, also showed his capability in the longer events by comfortably recording 2.16.29. Kevan Sturgeon and Duncan Gillies were both on a ‘do or die’ mission and unfortunately they both ‘died’. Sturgeon, having 10 days off the bike due to holidays, rode a calculated pace but hit the wall around 45 miles after suffering stomach cramps and faded to 2.14.50. Meanwhile, Gillies simply started far too fast and as a result he too struggled over the last few headwind miles to pass the timekeeper in 2.14.36. Ian Black, Sandy Wallace Cycles, had no such problems. He sailed to a convincing victory in a time of 1.52.27 well clear of Peter Alexander, Moray Firth CC, in 1.55.39.

 

 

Audax, Sportives & Champs - 14/15 June 2008

Elgin Cycling Club members were represented in many different events the length and breadth of the country last weekend. Furthest travelled was Kevan Sturgeon who was in Newcastle as an official in the Beaumont Trophy Premier Calendar road race and took the opportunity to ride the 100k Cyclone Challenge the previous day in the same area. Not officially a race but when each rider is timed it naturally becomes competitive and Sturgeon finished 4th fastest out of 627 starters, in 3.24.33. Nearer to home a similar, new, event was promoted in Speyside. The Cairngorm Classic had a choice of 50 and 100 miles both starting and finishing at the Cairngorm car park. George Findlater and Alasdair Grant rode the 100-mile event finishing in 5.42.27 and 6.00.27 respectively whilst newcomer Martin Flynn chose the shorter distance and excelled finishing in fifth spot from a field of 100, only 12 minutes behind the leader. Meanwhile Al Sutton, Mark Houliston, Peter McLean and Gary Reid headed to Portmahomack for a two-day Audax event. With a set course and maximum and minimum time limits the routes were very challenging with wet and windy weather thrown in for good measure. Saturday’s 300k route took in Durness and Tounge which was followed by 200k on the Sunday around Ross-Shire and the Black Isle. This was the team’s final preparation as next week they are tackling Lands End to John O’Groats to Elgin, with over 1000 miles to be covered in the eight days. On a competitive front Kenny Philpot, Gareth Luce and Duncan Gillies represented the Club in the Scottish 25-mile time trial championships near Stonehaven. In cool windy conditions with occasional spots of rain all three were reasonably pleased with their performance. Philpot proved strongest with 59.51 while Luce was close behind in 1.00.10 and Gillies with 1.00.46. Former winner of the title, Mark Atkinson, Sandy Wallace Cycles, regained top spot by recording 52.15.

 

 

Forres 10, 25 & 28 APR - 7/8 June 2008

Cycle racing in Moray continued for another week when Forres Cycling Club hosting a series of three events. This proved to be very fruitful for Elgin CC riders with a win, three personal bests, a championship category award and a new Scottish tandem record. The 10-mile time trial on the Kinloss course is not noted for fast times but a string of good rides put paid to the theory. Elgin fielded 4 riders with Kenny Philpot and Kevan Sturgeon filling 6th and 7th spots in 23.27 and 23.53 respectively. Both just a few seconds form their PB’s. Gary Reid has been struggling of late after a viral infection but bounced back to record a personal best of 26.33 and young David Hutcheson continues to improve with 27.29—another PB. Al and Julie Sutton targeted the event to ride on a tandem and set out to try and break the North of Scotland record. However, to their surprise, their time of 26.31 was good enough to set a new Scottish mixed veterans record. Pre-race favourite David Black, Clachnacuddin CC won in 22.06 from Peter Alexander, Moray Firth CC, 22.43. The following morning the same four Elgin team tackled the North of Scotland 25-mile time trial championship. Philpot proved to be the fastest once again in 1.01.08 from Sturgeon with 1.02.16. Gary Reid recorded another best by smashing his previous best time with 1.10.22 and David Hutcheson, riding his first ever event at the distance, rode an impressive 1.14.08 to secure the Youth title. There was a two-horse race at the head of affairs with Peter Ettles, Forres CC taking victory in 55.28 only 8 seconds ahead of James Millar, Dooley’s RC. Later in the day Dan Sowter, George Findlater, Michael and Alastair Van Der Vlies lined up for a 28-mile handicap road race around the Dyke-Kintessack circuit. With three ability groups the women were first away with a six minute advantage from group two, with a reduced group three a further 4 minutes back. Michael Van Der Vlies and Findlater worked hard in the scratch group but were never going to catch the front runners. The second group took 24 miles to catch the women who then combined to form one large group. Elgin’s Dan Sowter put in a serious effort half a mile from home and quickly gained a 6 second lead and managed to hold off to line for a well deserved win. Norrie Lyall, Forres CC, was second and Mari Todd, Square Wheels, third. Findlater had some consolation for tired legs in that the previous day he won the aged related veterans category in the Woman’s and Masters Road Race at Dundee.

 

 

Moray May Montage - 31 May/1 June 2008

Elgin Cycling Club hosted a weekend of racing with 4 contrasting events which put riders’ abilities to the test. First up was the Pluscarden 10-mile time trial. Forres rider Peter Ettles was a clear winner in 21:55 from Peter Alexander, Moray Firth CC with 23:00. Kenny Philpot was the best of the Elgin team in a time of 23:45 for 5th position just ahead of Kevan Sturgeon in 7th spot with 24:22. Peter McLean was close to his personal best, recording 27:40 and David Hutcheson continues to improve with 28:38.. With only a couple of hours rest the riders lined up again for the 18-mile Pluscarden Hilly, which takes in the climbs of Edinvale, Blervie, Califer and Heldon before returning to Pluscarden. With Ettles a non-starter the door was left open and James Miller, Dooleys RT, a former international, filled the gap. His 46:55 smashed the course record and left Peter Alexander in second spot yet again with 49:04. Elgin’s Gareth Luce has a liking for hills and was close to podium place with 50:45. Duncan Gillies’ form is coming back with a solid 54:48 marginally ahead of Dan Sowter in 54:52. The second day of racing centred around Duffus with a 14-mile 2up team time trial in the morning followed by a 24-mile handicap road race in the afternoon. That man Ettles was back in action again and back to winning ways. Pairing up with Kevin Lackie the Forres CC pair were clear winners in a time of 33:02, with the mixed team of Paul Black, Edinburgh RC and David Harter, Forres CC runners up with 34:17. There were then some tired legs heading into the final event which, at only 24 miles, was always going to be fast. A group of girls with an eight minute advantage formed the first group. Gordonstoun girls Rebecca Jackson and Chantel Clark joined forces with Ellen Thornell from Tri Changing Gear. The remaining three groups were only 2 minutes apart and would have to work hard if they were going to negate the girls’ advantage. The last three groups all came together after 8 miles. Thornell had packed by this time and Chantel Clark was off the pace. Rebecca Jackson however showed great fighting spirit by leading the race on her own and only being caught by the main group with less than a lap remaining. James Miller escaped the pack with 4 miles to go and time trialled to a solo victory. A big bunch sprint was inevitable for the rest. Elgin’s Gareth Luce made a strong charge for the line from 400 metres out but was pipped on the line by Ettles, by less than a tyres width, to end a superb weekend of racing.

 

 

Deeside 25, Drumlithie -  25 May 2008

Elgin Cycling Club riders had the opportunity last weekend to recce the course for the Scottish Championship in two weeks time in the Deeside Thistle 25-mile time trial based at Drumlithie near Stonehaven. A warm sunny morning was interrupted by a strong northeast wind that was blowing straight into the riders’ faces on the return leg of the out-and-back course. Kevan Sturgeon was the first of the Elgin trio to face the timekeeper but a puncture as he approached the start meant a swift tyre charge which made it difficult to keep focused. However, with the adrenalin pumping, he continued a good run of form to post a time of 1.01.23. Next up was Kenny Philpot who, determined to put the previous event’s disappointment to one side, set off at a fast pace with the tail wind and was riding to schedule. However, the relentless wind on the second half of the course got the better of him, forcing an unscheduled stop due to cramp 2 miles from home. Philpot finally limped over the line in a time of 1.05.15. Gareth Luce completed the Elgin line up and had a trouble free ride. More accustomed to road racing Luce made a rare appearance on a time-trial bike and showed he is no slouch against the clock. His excellent 59.25 was his first ever time under the hour for the distance and good enough for 7th position. Winning the event, and in a class of his own, was Forres rider Peter Ettles. An astonishing 54.06 in the conditions raised a few eyebrows in admiration as he was well ahead of second placed Raymond Wilson, Sandy Wallace Cycles, with 55.38 with Ian Black, also Sandy Wallace Cycles, third a few seconds behind in 55.48. It is now surely only a matter of time before Ettles wins a major championship given his current form.

 

 

 

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As reported in The Northern Scot