Beth is leading lady at Moniaive
Beth Macrae of Ayr Roads/ Harry Fairbairn Cycling Club pedalled off with the top lady’s prize at the Moniaive Wild Hills Road Race on Saturday.
And to crown it all, Roads were best placed Ayrshire team in the event which was promoted by Dumfries Cycling Club and run under TLI rules.
As an Australian Pursuit Race, the event featured all categories, with the ‘ scratch’ group in pursuit. All being well, all groups should come together by the final lap for the onset of a sprint finish.
Beth, who was ninth at the Stirling Criterium the week before, took on seasoned campaigners on this hard circuit of 35 miles.
Starting at Moniaive, riders faced a five mile climb before the long descent into Carsphairn. Hardest section was undoubtedly the lumpy road from St. John’s Town of Dalry to Moniaive, which again featured a six mile climb.
Accompanied by clubmate, Alex McAllister, Beth could not be shaken off as she took took the lady’s prize and finished 14th out of 84.
McAllister put his Majorcan miles to good use by taking first prize in his category, followed by John Gemmell who was second. Alex and John finished 13th and 17th respectively. Martin Lindsay also did well for his first APR.
Overall winner was Ian Archibald ( Johnstone Wheelers), the dad of Olympic and World champion Katie.
By far the best ride of the day was that of David Griffiths ( Pro Vision Clothing) who finished second, having gone through the field and just failing to catch Ian.
Ro a d s op e n e d th e i r ev e n i n g 1 0 L eague Cha mp i o n s h i p se r i e s tw o weeks earlier last Thursday night . In a cold, overcast night, with a westerly breeze, 12 members took part in the first evening 10 of the new season. Winner was Ed Clifton in 22 mins 43 secs.
Only four seconds separated the next three with Alastair McGibbon narrowly beating Calum Mcdonald into second with a 22: 50 ride. Calum was third in 22: 51 and Michael Curran fourth in 22: 54.
With nothing between these four, the evening 10 series could be interesting this season.
Another fine ride was that of Mark Warters, in his first ever Time Trial, with 24: 25 for fifth place. Other times: Tom G. Hill 24: 41, Duncan McArthur 24: 45, Craig Allison 24: 46, Scott Knox 24: 54, Toni McIntosh 24: 58, John Gemmell 26: 27, Iain Fisher 27: 48.
The midweek group to Largs via Dalry and the Hayley Brae, before returning via West Kilbride. Sunday saw a larger group take in the Mauchline, Catrine and Sorn circuit, recording 60 and 50 miles.
Cycle Ayrshire had two rides last week, the first, from Prestwick Station, was the launch of this season’s Wednesday midweek rides while the other, on Sunday, was a standard main ride but with an out- of- Ayrshire start.