Alex Dent dominates in West Highland Wheelers race
A TOTAL of 25 riders took part in this year’s annual West Highland Wheelers race from Fort Augustus to Fort William.
The weather conditions were very favourable with light winds, no rain and even a little bit of sunshine which all meant that the autumnal views were almost as spectacular as the racing, staged at the end of last month.
Once again the race was won by a member of the Dent family – last year it was Stephen, this year it was his younger brother Alex, who finished the race in a time of 1 hr 48 mins ( three and a half minutes ahead of the next rider).
There was a fierce race for second place, with Ed Daynes and Jamie Gall matching each other neck and neck until the final straight when Ed’s sprint finish just pipped Jamie to the line.
Marie Meldrum was the first woman home in a time of 1 hr 59 mins and was fourth overall. It was great to see three youngsters ( Cory Muir, Finlay Dempster and Daniel Parfitt) from the Wheelers kids’ club attempting the race for the first time and putting in very respectable times.
Thanks were given to everyone who helped with the race organisation, in particular Ben, Jacqui, Dave and Evelyn.
Special thanks also went to Nevis Range for allowing the club to use its pick-up truck as a sweeper vehicle.
Entry fees from the race are being donated to mountain rescue.
The full results are as follows; 1 Alex Dent 01:48:21; 2 Ed Daynes 01:52:08; 3 Jamie Gall 01:52:15; 4 Marie Meldrum 01:59:01; 5 Cory Muir 02:05:14 (winner of the under 14 e-bike category); 6 Roddy Wells 02:06:46; 7 Charlie Munro 02:07:20; 8 Stephen Cant 02:14:05; 9 Alan Dent 02:16:20 (had a snapped chain and took a slightly alternative route); 10 Hannah Barnes 02:21:05; 11 Fiona Thompson 02:29:15; 12 Graham Ward 02:32:35; 13 Nix Forster 02:36:20; 14 Andy Rogers 02:40:32; 15 Gavin Power 02:41:16; 16 Stephen MacLeod 02:42:22; 17 Finlay Dempster 02:43:25; 18 Calum Maclean 02:45:06; 19 George Maitland 02:50:05; 20 Catriona Maitland 02:50:08; 21 Marian Austin 02:51:13; 22 Daniel Parfitt 02:59:48; 23 Diana Moffitt 04:09:53; 24 Linda Poll 04:20:09; 25 Clare Harley 04:20:19