VeloResults

Laurent Fignon RIP. (0)

‘Unluckiest man of the race was Laurent Fignon (Renault) who escaped alone on the climb of the Cote de la Madelaine, only to crash when leading by 37 seconds with only 18 kilometres to go.’

That was how Britain’s Cycling Weekly magazine recorded my first ever memory of the man; cycling on British TV was rare back then but those producers know a good image when they see one and I must have seen that footage of the Frenchman’s bottom bracket axle breaking and catapulting him over the ‘bars to end up sitting on the tarmac a hundred times.

Scottish 10 Mile Time Trial Championships inc. the Jason MacIntyre Memorial Trophy (2)

On a lovely sunny afternoon, Arthur Doyle (Dooleys Cycles) rocketed around the Scottish Championship 10 mile course at Corpach outside Fort William to take the gold medal for the third year in a row.

Second, 33 seconds back, was Shetland Wheeler Carlos Riise, and Alistair Robinson (Leslie Bike Shop) only three seconds further adrift in the bronze medal position.

Arthur also won the fabulous Jason MacIntyre Trophy, awarded in memory of Jason who was tragically killed just over two years ago and who was the winner of ‘the 10′ himself four years back.

Richard Russell, 1930 – 2010 (0)

The death of Richard Russell leaves a large gap in the Lothians CTC.

Richard was an important figure on the Scottish cycling scene, following his father into the Cyclists’ Touring Club, the Edinburgh Road Club and the Scottish Road Records Association.

One of his earliest memories was of sitting in a small wicker seat on the back of his parents’ tandem on trips around East Lothian, an area he always loved.

Thinking about Jason (2)

It’s two years since we lost Jason MacIntyre.

We thought it might be appropriate to remember one of his greatest triumphs, here’s what he had to say to us after he won his first British ’25′ title back in June, 2006.

An Iberian Update (0)

It’s funny how things work out, Alberto Contador signs a contract with Specialized bikes for 700,000 euros last week. So will he be riding for one of the teams who ride on Specialized bikes; Quick-Step or Saxo Bank? Ah! Then Quick-Step announces that they will no longer be riding on Specialized, but will be on Eddy Merckx bikes.

Dimitri De Fauw (1)

It’s easy to write an obituary when one of your heroes dies – probably more so if you don’t know them well.

There’s just the legend, palmares, anecdotes and the sadness.

But I knew Dimitri De Fauw, not well, but I worked at maybe half-a-dozen six day races where he was riding.

RIP, VDB (4)

“RIP VDB” said the text from John Stollery, waiting for me, when I woke up; there were others too, from Dave and Stevie all expressing sadness – for all his faults, he was a hard man to dislike.

He was just 34, cause of death is cited as a ‘blood clot.’

Hugh McGuire (0)

Hugh McGuire, who has died suddenly of a heart attack aged 71, was the Glasgow-born Scot who became one of the top UK cyclists in the 1960s, representing both Scotland and the British Army. He took part with the best of GB riders in the Tour of Britain / Milk Race era, winning stages – and in so doing following the wheels of a slightly older top gun, Jimmy Savile. McGuire became noticed, and in 1962 and 1963, was selected to travel behind the Iron Curtain to participate in the annual Berlin-Warsaw-Prague road race, the co-called Peace Race designed by the Soviets to bring together the world’s top cyclists in reconciliation between Warsaw Pact countries and the West.

Memories of Jason (0)

It’s a year since Jason MacIntyre died; just like I can remember where I was when JFK was shot, I can remember receiving the call from James McCallum as I drove through Cramond.

Jason was a special rider, I loved to watch him in a time trial; to me he was poetry in motion.

I only got to know him well during the last couple of years of his life, but I felt very close to him, maybe I was partly trying to live my dreams through him?

Jocky Allen (0)

Life is strange, sometimes.

Yesterday I was talking to a friend of mine, we got round to talking about cycling, and with a far away look in his eyes, he reminisced about his first bike; “my maw pushed the boat out and bought me this beautiful red racer, it had white wall tyres and white transfers on the tubes – JB Allen.”

This morning, Gregor rang to tell me that ‘Jocky’ had died.

Grey Days (Comments Off)

It’s drizzling in Kirkcaldy at 06.15, mild, damp, depressing.

The 07.50 train to Edinburgh and no one speaks, not a word. I’d sooner be in the old Transit, with Terry Wogan prattling-on about sausages. The carriage rocks past the Forth Bridge approach road at 08.10 and like Talking Heads would say, the tailback is “same as it ever was”.

There won’t be much chat down there either. At least there’s a little daylight now, a few weeks ago at this time, it was “as black as the Earl o’ Hell’s waistcoat”, as my dad used to say.

Jason MacIntyre (0)

British 25 Mile Time Trial Champion, Jason Macintyre (Edge RT) died this afternoon, after being involved in a collision at 13.34 GMT with a Highland Council truck which is believed to have turned left across his path as it entered the council yard on the northern outskirts of Jason’s home town of Fort William.

The 34 year-old multiple Scottish champion was returning from a training run in the Spean Bridge area when the tragedy occured at a spot known locally as Carr’s corner on the A82 road.

Despite being taken by ambulance to Belford Hospital in the town, he was subsequently pronounced dead from his injuries.

Phil Young Memorial Time Trial (0)

The recent Phil Young Memorial TT was a tremendous success. The weather was a bit cold and damp but it certainly didn’t dampen the enjoyment of the field.

Every rider in the race got a prize, and it was really nice to see the expression on the face of riders who have never won a prize before.

Phil Young – A Tribute (0)

I didn’t make it up to the Phil Young memorial race this year, work got in the way. I need to get my values sorted out.

I should put the memory of a friend before commercial activity, but when you are under client pressure to get a job finished, it is difficult. Phil had his priorities right, though: “the bike” was number one, and everything else was organised around that.