Martin passes his big French test
Martin Lindsay of Ayr Roads/ Harry Fairbairn Cycling Club has joined an elite band of members, by representing the UK in the Union Cycliste Internationale Gran Fondo World Championships in Albi, Southern France.
Martin achieved qualification following his result in the UCI World Series Tour of Ayrshire in April.
With 56 nations competing for world championships medals, Martin was in the elite men’s senior category and was joined by a small group of Scottish cyclists competing for the UK in the Time Trial and Road Race events.
Saturday, saw John Entwistle of Scotland’s GTR Racing Team and 2016 Scottish National Champion at 50 and 100 mile distance take bronze in his age group in the 22.5 Km TT in 31 mins 47 seconds with gold and silver going to Netherlands and Norway.
Martin’s road race took place on Sunday took in a 155 km circuit, with 4,000 feet of climbing, and drew a field of 200.
Martin faced teams of ex- pros and found the race the hardest experience of his life. At 20 km, he got caught up in a big crash, but managed to get on to a chasing group.
At 60 km, the leading group were just ahead, but when they hit the big climb, the larger teams worked together and rode away again.
Martin teamed up with Polish, French and English riders and worked well before he cramped up at the 130 km mark. A final effort and he managed to get back on to a group that saw him to the finish.
He becomes one of a few Ayrshire riders who has ever ridden on the continent.
Calum MacDonald and Craig Allison competed in the CTT 10 Mile Time Trial. John Archibald ( Pro Vision) recorded a new Scottish record of 18 mins 38 secs ( 32.2 mph). Three other riders broke the 20 minute barrier.
Calum recorded a season’s open time best in 21: 56 with Craig 23: 03 over the distance.
Another Roads club course record was broken last Tuesday in the seventh league event of the season when Rory Webster recorded 13: 32 on the Symington/ Dundonald circuit.
Rory was closely followed by Calum MacDonald in 13: 53 and Ed Clifton a second slower.
Other times: Alastair McGibbon 14: 14, Scott Knox 14: 36, Harry Brawley 14: 58, Iain Fisher 15: 58, Bobby McGhee 16: 16, Aileen Fisher 17: 21.
With only two league events remaining, and only eight points separating first and second, the annual Hill Climb in October may determine the winner.
Right rides took part in the Gailes 10 mile time trial on a typical Scottish dreich Thursday night. Winner was Alastair McGibbon in 23: 19 with Michael Curran only two seconds behind.
Other times: John McKie 24: 57, Ross Mulvennan 25: 42, Rory Webster 26: 57 ( mechanical delay), Iain Fisher 27: 42, John Gemmell 27: 44, Aileen Fisher 29: 16.
A group of Roads members took part in the Ayrshire Alps Sportive. Most opted for the longer 100 Km event, which allowed a feeding stop at The Davie Bell Memorial at Rowantree Toll. A fitting tribute that the Alps route should stop here to admire the scenery which the Ayr Roads legend wrote about on his travels, long before there was an Ayrshire Alps.
Meanwhile, Wigtown and the Galloway roads was the destination of the midweek group who clocked 60 miles while on Sunday another group did a 50 miler in the Turnberry Hills.