It’s grins up north for Clarion INSIDE IN TODAY
West Lothian Clarion sent 14 riders up north to take part in the Scottish Cyclo- Cross Championships with some brilliant results for their riders.
The team headed to Knockburn Loch, near Banchory, for the event and came away pleased with their efforts.
The course proved to be a thighsapping experience for competitors, with a new hill added to the circuit that had been used in previous years.
This, together with the course’s infamous sand section, and the muddy conditions after rain and snow in the week preceding the championships, meant that riders’ fitness and technique were given a severe test.
As at the previous round of the series in Fife, conditions also contributed to a number of mechanical problems, with many riders finding that the grit and mud made it difficult to clip back into their pedals after running sections of the course.
The club’s best result of the day was from young Rhuairdh Fulton, riding in the under-8 category. He continued his run of podium finishes in the Scottish series, coming second on the day.
Among the older youth riders, there were a number of top- 10 finishes, with George Freeman finishing fifth in the under-16 boys’ race and Alex Ball coming in just behind his teammate in sixth place. Andrew Turner maintained his consistent top- 20 form, finishing 17th.
George commented: “It was a really fun and challenging course. I’m delighted with my result, and looking forward to the last races in the series”.
Abbie Mason finished seventh in the girls’ under- 16 race, with Sam Chisholm sixth in the boys’ under-14 event where Finn Mason came home in 11th and Evan McKenzie just outside the top-20.
Katie Galloway finished seventh in the girls’ under- 14s with Finlay Turner taking 11th place in the Boys’ under-12 race.
In the senior categories, George Stewart continued his strong run of form to finish in 16th position.