Rio heroes return
Scots Archibald and Skinner get back down to business on home patch as they bid to build on medal successes. By Susan Swarbrick
FROM the roar inside the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, you would have thought Katie Archibald and Callum Skinner had won Olympic gold all over again. The Scots were in action as round two of the 2016-17 Revolution Series came to Glasgow, with Archibald (Podium Ambition p/b Club La Santa) taking an early win in the elimination race, the event in which she is European champion.
Lesser mortals might have settled for an easy lap of honour in front of an adoring home crowd, but that’s not how Archibald rolls. While admitting to jangling nerves beforehand, out on the boards the 22-year-old from Milngavie gave a masterclass in how it’s done. Laurie Berthon (Voxwomen) and Archibald’s fellow Scot Neah Evans (Podium Ambition p/b Club La Santa) were second and third.
A strong ride followed in the points race, with Archibald and Evans part of a group that gained a lap on the main field early on. With seven laps left they jointly topped the standings, but a mechanical for Evans and late surge from Emily Nelson (Team Breeze) put paid to aspirations of a one-two. Nelson took the win with Archibald nudged into second by a single point. Belgium’s Lotte Kopecky (Voxwomen) took third with Evans finishing down in fifth.
Archibald said: “I was pretty happy with the devil [elimination race] but the points race played into a sprinter’s game. I have no-one but myself to blame for letting it go really slow between the sprints.”
Archibald has a packed racing programme over the coming weeks. She will compete in the UEC European Track Championships in Paris this month, with the goal of defending her trio of titles.
In her crosshairs is selection for the opening round of 2016-17 UCI Track Cycling World Cup in Glasgow in early November. The Scottish National Track Championships follow a week later and the British Madison Championships take place in mid-December.
“I’m trying to work on my tactical racing and that’s what the next three months will be about,” she said. “I’m racing for nine weekends in a row – and that’s not counting this one.”
Evans, who recently switched from sprint to endurance racing, took victory in the women’s flying lap in 14.666sec, ahead of Berthon (14.698) and Nelson third (15.047). The 26-year-old from Aberdeen went on to win the scratch race with an impressive ride that saw her repeatedly attack off the front. Kopecky was second with Nelson third and Archibald in fourth.
Skinner had a tougher time as he returned to racing, but the 24-year-old Scot remained cheerily philosophical as he attempted to blow away the post-Rio cobwebs.
“It is tricky when you have just had the biggest focus of your life and afterwards it takes time to reassess your goals and get the hunger again,” he said. “Coming here and getting back into racing is the best way to find that.”
Among the throng track centre was Commonwealth Games silver medallist Charline Joiner who announced her retirement from professional cycling yesterday. The 28-year-old from Dunfermline admitted to “mixed emotions” but said she was excited about her new role working as a personal trainer and cycling coach at Hampden Sports Clinic in Glasgow.
“After a lot of years and almost as many injuries I feel now is the time to take on fresh challenges,” she said. “It’s been an emotional decision, but it is the right one for me.”
Ollie Wood (Team Wiggins) won the men’s elimination-scratch race with Ed Clancy (JLT Condor p/b Mavic) second and Adam Blythe (Revolution All Stars) in third.
Triple Olympic champion Clancy bounced back with a blistering ride of 13.515sec in the flying lap ahead of Wood who posted 13.525sec and Marcel Kalz (Majola Pushbikers RT) on 13.584sec.
In the points race, Mark Stewart (Scotland-Burness Paul) fought hard throughout, but had to settle for second behind Andy Tennant (Team Pedalsure) with Nico Hesslich (Revolution All Stars) third.
Arguably the most tenacious performance of the day came from 15-year-old Jack Cruden (ScotlandBurness Paul) with the youngster from Glasgow producing a ferocious attacking ride to win the Hoy Future Stars 6 lap dash.