Thrills and spills
Superb day’s racing ends abruptly after crash
Cyclists descended on the University of Stirling in their numbers last weekend for one of the biggest road races in Scotland this year – the fourth annual Crit on the Campus.
More than 450 keen racers made their way to the campus on Sunday for a day of racing in the sunshine. A total of ten fast-paced races were scheduled to take place – from under-eights to elite racers.
The elite race, however, was abandoned after one of the riders was involved in a smash, and required hospital treatment for facial injuries. The course had to be closed as an ambulance attended while all first aid resources were scrambled to the scene of the accident. The rider is expected to make a full recovery.
The day started off with the undereights and under-10s races followed by the under-12 events, and for the first time this year the crit played host to round two of the Scottish Cycling National Youth Series.
Nine Special Olympics riders from the Scotland West section were next up – taking part in a 30 minute race which proved to be perfect preparation ahead of the upcoming Summer Games.
Three men’s races followed and James Tree of Dooley’s Cycles and Jackie Chan of Perth United Cycling Club secured victories in the fourth category events.
In the third and fourth category men’s race junior riders Calum Shackley and Innes Johnston, both of Glasgow Cycle Team, finished first and second respectively.
And in what would prove to be the final event of the day Flora Gillies of Team 22 took the win after a fierce battle to the line with Ellen McDermott of EDCO Continental in the women’s race.
The event, which is staged by Stirling Bike Club and the University of Stirling, is likely to be one of the largest days of road racing in Scotland all year.
Organiser David Lindsay said: “It was a fantastic day and the good weather meant that we had perfect conditions for racing. We had some really good crowds and the atmosphere was great.
“We’d like to say a big thanks to the University of Stirling for letting us use their campus for the event. They couldn’t have been more cooperative or accommodating. It also wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work and time given up by the volunteers.
“Social media is awash with praise for the race and how it was run, from both riders and spectators. Scottish Cycling were also very impressed with the standard of course marshalling and the rest of the events team.”
Although the showpiece elite race had to be abandoned following a collision shortly after the start, David insists the priority has to be the welfare of the rider.
He said: “When there are 50 guys all racing quite close to one another there’s always the chance that the slightest touch of wheels could have an impact.
“After the crash we stopped the race as we had to call on our first aid teams from the rest of the course and we needed to close the course for the ambulance. He was taken away to hospital with facial injuries and we all wish him a speedy recovery.”
Pictures courtesy of Graeme Matheson of Stirling Bike Club