Women injured in horror crashes
Accidents end the season for Toni and Beth
Ayr Roads/ Harry Fairbairn Cycling Club ladies have suffered a double setback.
Toni McIntosh’s season ended last Wednesday night when she sustained injuries in a crash on the West Ferry Course at Bishopton.
No vehicle was involved and it seems the accident was caused by a mechanical failure. Toni fractured her cheekbone and collar bone in the incident and will be out of action for the rest of the season.
Toni is the most successful woman cyclist ever in the history of the sport in Ayrshire and is a multi Scottish National medalist and record holder.
Her season got off to a slow start but recent performances showed that she had returned to good form to compete and was looking forward to competing in both the National 50 and 100 mile time trials, due to take place next month. She would have been seeded among the elite of Scottish cyclists.
In a separate incident, young Beth Macrae, who was competing in the prestigious Twin Lakes Road Race at Southport, was also involved in an accident.
With only 400 metres remaining of the 46- mile race, Beth was involved in a pile- up involving a number of riders.
She sustained superficial injuries to her legs. Beth, who favours road racing to time trialling, had been doing well in the Australian Pursuit and Criterium events throughout the season.
It was good news, however, for another Roads lady when the interim results of the season- long 10 Mile Time Trial league were revealed after last week’s TT.
Aileen Fisher is currently leading the league with three points clear of Scott Knox. With still a number of events remaining, the final outcome is likely to be close.
In the 10 Mile Time Trial promoted by Inverclyde Velo last Tuesday, in which Toni was injured, her Ayr Roads riders fared better.
On- form Mark Warters was fastest Roads rider with 22: 05 for the distance.
Other times: Alastair McGibbon 22: 27; Alex McAllister 22: 41 and John Gemmell 26: 35. The winner was multi Scottish National Champion, John Archibald of ProVision Clothing in a time of 19: 08 at over 31 mph.
Meanwhile, for road safety reasons, a decision was taken to run the weekly 10 Mile TT to Tuesday last week, because of the Scottish Open at Dundonald.
The fastest times of the year were recorded by Calum MacDonald and Mark Warters who finished equal in 21: 44 with individual personal bests.