Junior wins at Straiton
Bank holiday Sunday attracted a field of 60 for the Straiton Struggle Road Race, hosted by Ayr Roads/ Harry Fairbairn Cycling Club.
The event, part of the South West of Scotland Road Series Championships and open to category two, three and four road men and women, also included juniors and one lady rider.
Five circuits of a nine- mile loop went around the outskirts of Straiton and Kirkmichael and through the centre of Crosshill. With over 2400 feet of elevation, riders faced a fast race with the energy- sapping climb from Crosshill to Blairquhan. After the first lap a group of 11 broke from the main field, achieving a gap of 30 seconds. Over the next three laps, which were averaging 19 minutes, the gap extended to 1 minute 40 seconds with the group reduced to seven.
On the last lap all seven were in contention but Stephen Dent of Spokes Racing Team showed extraordinary strength for a junior to pull a bike length clear of Richard MacDonald ( Pro Vision) to take the sprint finish. Walter Hamilton ( Veloclub) was third. Ayr Roads riders Calum MacDonald and Gre g Templeton finished in the main pack, with Calum winning the bunch sprint. Simon Woodliff of the promoting club punctured.
Shani Bloch- Davidov, the only lady rider, finished in the main pack. Shani, from Israel, now rides for Pedal Power RT. The event was hailed as a huge success and congratulations went to organiser Scott Maclean.
Thursday evening saw six members compete in the 10mile time trial on the Loans course. Not an evening for fast times, which was made worse by delays at the turn roundabout.
Michael Curran was fastest in 23 mins 13 secs, followed by Alastair McGibbon in 23: 17. Other times: Jody Gerrard 24: 18, Calum MacDonald 24: 23, Toni McIntosh 25: 16, Duncan McArthur 25: 31.
Miren Basabe Kerr, riding her first open race for the club as a junior, held her own in the Muirkirk Criterium series, hosted by East Kilbride CC, but a puncture spoiled her chances. Alloway schoolboy Ollie Kelly took his first win of the season in the youth criterium at Ingliston.
The senior midweek run, held in fine weather, left Prestwick, taking in the North Ayrshire roads by Dalry then across to Largs via the Hayley Brae.
The group took the Brisbane Glen road over to Loch Thom, before descending to the coast for the homeward leg, a distance of 80 miles. Saturday, June 4, will see Ayr Roads CC host the Scottish National 25 Mile Time Trial Championship on the Irvine course. Roads pin their hopes on Kenny Armstrong and the ladies’ team of Toni McIntosh, Lynne Wardrop and Janet Erskine.