2018 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
Strathblane gives cheer to time-trial cyclists
Strathblane was for a short time on Wednesday afternoon the focus of the cycling world as some of the sport’s best top riders raced through the village.
They were taking part in the men’s time trial, part of the programme for the cycling element of the Glasgow 2018 European Championships.
Concerns about closures of some Strathblane area roads for the time trial seemed to disappear on the day as crowds gathered to watch the competitors race from Glasgow’s Riverside Museum, along the A81 to the Kirkhouse Inn, before taking a sweeping right turn towards Lennoxtown and back to Glasgow.
The riders were met with an electric atmosphere in the village, as spectators lined the route along the 28–mile course.
Cyclists of all nationalities received roars of encouragement as they raced against the clock.
Strathblane residents and visitors were in fine voice, as they lined the streets at the junction of the A81 and A891, many wearing the jersey of their local cycling clubs.
A drumming group added noise as the riders tackled the challenging right hand turn on to the A891.
Members of the Glasgow Nightingale Cycling Club donned their race kits and rode to Strathblane to soak in the occasion after first seeing how the women competitors show their mettle .
Team member Dougie Pender said: “We were down for the women’s time trial in the morning and then we travelled up here afterwards and this has been one of the busiest bits for crowds I’ve seen.”
Jenny Pender added: “It’s been fantastic. It’s not every day a big race like this comes past.”
Light drizzle didn’t stop onlookers from turning out in great numbers.
Mike McNulty from Strathblane Community Council said: “You couldn’t help but get caught up in the atmosphere. It was even mentioned on TV that there was a great turnout here.
“After all the build–up it was short but sweet and it was a reason for a lot of the village to gather together and have some fun. A real community spirit, all ages, happily taking part in a great event.”
Volunteers from across the country sported their Glasgow 2018 tracksuits as they marshalled the event.
Around 3,600 volunteers from 17 countries have been helping welcome athletes and visitors to Glasgow 2018, with some travelling from America and Australia.
As the steady flow of riders made their way through the village, it was familiar territory for rider Matthias Brändle.
The Austrian and his team-mates have been based at the Kirkhouse Inn for 12 days leading up to the event. Brändle finished 23rd.
Kirkhouse Inn owner, Allan Duncan said: “The Austrians have been brand new. They have been here with the team cars parked outside the hotel. They’ve been great, but I will tell you one thing, they have been eating plenty of carbohydrates ahead of their races.
“We were cheering on number 15 (Brändle) because he’s been staying here.
“It’s been a change for the locals. It was a brilliant atmosphere.”
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP, Mark Ruskell, a keen cyclist, attended the showpiece event. He added: “Strathblane was absolutely buzzing and the community deserve a lot of credit for making the most of the opportunity.
“It really did showcase to the world the best that the area has to offer for cyclists. Stirling should build on this success, we have some of the best scenery, routes and fans in Europe and could even part host a Grand Depart of the Tour de France if there was a co–ordinated bid from Scotland.”
Belgian time triallist Victor Campenaerts won the day and was crowned European champion for the second year in a row, in a time of 53 minutes and 38 seconds.
Spaniard, Jonathan Castroviejo, took silver, finishing less than a second slower than Campenaerts. German Maximilian Schachmann took bronze, 27 seconds further back.
Brit Alex Dowsett finished in fifth, 35 seconds behind the winner, whilst countryman Harry Tanfield came in 16th.