VeloVeritas

Gary Hand – “I Didn’t Do Anything Wrong” (0)

You always miss something when you go on holiday – the latest Super Six at Falkirk, for example; I knew I’d be away for the race but said to the organiser if he let me know who’d won, I’d do an interview with them. Gary Hand (Endura) was the man to take the honours – no surprises then?

But there was a caveat; a source close to organisers told us…

Organising the 46th Davie Bell Memorial Road Race (0)

The best cyclists in Scotland will descend on South Ayrshire this Sunday, the 5th of June, as Ayr Roads Cycling Club/Harry Fairbairn BMW play host to round four of the Scottish Power Renewables SuP6R Six series at the 2011 David Bell Memorial Road Race.

The event has attracted a full field for the first time in over two decades, with the riders lining up to complete the gruelling 120km marathon over the hilly roads around Straiton.

Chris Johnston, a member of the race’s organising committee, sent us his diary of the week before the race. As we can see, it’s not just a case of rocking up on the morning and opening the HQ…

Scottish Road Race Championships, Evan Takes His Fifth! (3)

On a day of sunshine, wind and squals over 12 laps of a rolling circuit around Balfron, Evan Oliphant (Endura Racing) defended his Scottish road race championship in fine style; riding away from the day long break with two laps to go and opening a big gap over Gary Hand (Endura/Pedal Power) and Ross Creber (Cycle Premier/Metaltek) who also slipped the bunch to sprint it out for silver and bronze respectively.

This Sunday: the Scottish Road Race Championships 2011 (4)

Balfron in Stirlingshire will host Vortex RT’s promotion of the 2011 Scottish Cycling Road Race Championships on Sunday 22nd May.

This year’s event will be based on a challenging circuit of approx 11km, which will have a race run on it for the first time.

As tradition demands, the ladies go first, and their race will be 67km long, six full laps of the circuit starting at 9:30am.

Why Not Take the Race to the People! (1)

The Scottish road race; a nice day, a good course – past the village green at Denholm is cool – well marshalled, a full field.

But why start 30 minutes late; why is it so difficult to get a start sheet and why not take it into Hawick, each lap – past the pubs ?

Eastern Promise Road Race (0)

On a dismal Wednesday night, made even more unpleasant by Pro Tour level midges, it was those Pedal Power boys carrying on where they left off in the Sam Robinson, with Gordon Murdoch and Gary Hand scooping the dosh in the Eastern Promise road race across the moors around Gladhouse Reservoir.

I haven’t trained as an SC commissaire, but presumably there’s a rule which says; “Pre race briefings must always be conducted outside in the torrential rain, rather than in the comfort and dry of the strip.”

Sam Robinson Memorial Road Race (0)

A top class field raced this 78 mile event, attracting the majority of Scotland’s road race talent and a number of riders from North East England, including the regional champion.

The 78 mile race tackled the climbs of the Dukes Pass and ‘Top of the World’, based around the Trossachs and two tough finishing circuits through Balfron Town.

Super 6 Series – Event 4, Leven (0)

“That was horrid”, said the winner Evan Oliphant, as I asked him moments after he crossed the line how he enjoyed it. “It was just like being back at the Rás, what with the rain – and those roads!”.

Oh! I I thought he was talking about his teammate James McCallum congratulating him with a sloppy kiss on the cheek!

The Scottish Power Renewables Girvan 3 – Day Stage Race (0)

“The Girvan” stage race, based in beautiful Ayrshire and Galloway and held over the Easter weekend, has the reputation of being one of the toughest races in Britain, and it certainly does deserve it.

This year the 39th edition is again being run over 3 days and 4 stages, with the 3 road stages taking the riders into wild and remote terrain, most likely in less than ideal weather, which has been deteriorating ominously during the week and with foul conditions including snow predicted to arrive at the weekend, together with over 100 of the UK’s top cyclists, it should be an interesting race…

The ScottishPower Renewables Girvan 3 – Day Stage Race: Preview (0)

It’s “The Girvan” this weekend, and we’ve compiled a little summary of statistics following last year’s race.

“The Lake” APR (0)

63 riders took to the start on a bitterly cold – but dry – morning in the village of Bulclyvie. Split into six groups, with a fast scratch which included the previous week’s Rosneath winner, Gordon Murdoch of East Kilbride Road Club, as well as the inform Paul Coates of Squadra Via Mazzini Racetool, myself: Stuart Macgregor of Velo Ecosse, and Edge pairing of Paul Rennie and Graham McGarritty (who won this race 25 years ago when still a junior!).