VeloResults couldn’t attend – Martin was shopping for a new kitchen; I was on my way down from a drookit holiday to Ullapool and Gregor was schmoozing at Eurobike (more from there later.)

Gary Hand takes another round of the Super 6 series.

Mr. Hand has a healthy disregard for new fangled communications devices and we failed to muster him on the mobile – they only work, if they are switched ‘on,’ Garry!

Evan gave us the lowdown.

However, long time VeloResults chum, team mate of the winner and third placed on the day Evan Oliphant ‘picked up,’ as our US brethren would say and we got the low down from him.

“The course was surprisingly flat for being around Wanlockhead; four laps, and it was big ring all the way.

"It was chilly at 10 degrees and very windy; it was raining before the start but it stayed off for the most part during the race.

"Rab Wardell (Kinesis) was riding very strongly today; he and one other jumped away and it was the last lap before we caught him – he’d dropped the other guy.

"We had a chase group of about 12 and it was difficult to make any ground on him until late in the race.

Paul Coates leads David Lines in the group.

"There were four of us (Enduras) in the group; me, James McCallum, Gary Hand and David Lines – James was probably the strongest guy there, he’s going very well.

"He and I kept attacking on the last lap but it was tough in that wind.

"There were some good guys in the group – Ben Greenwood (Condor), Alistair Kay (York Cycle Works), Paul Rennie (Dooleys), Alex Coutts (that Greek outfit) and Rab Wardell’s Kinesis team mate, Matt Kipling – there were a couple of Wheelbase guys there too.

James McCallum and Paul Rennie.

"There was a lot of jumping around on the last lap and with about one kilometre to go, Kay was clear.

"I put in a big effort to get up to him, but Gary and Kipling took my wheel as we caught Kay at 300 to go, Gary jumped and Kipling countered, I got in his way and slowed him down and he couldn’t get up to Gary – I think he’d have won if I hadn’t managed to slow him down a bit. He was very strong at the finish, but he’d been sitting on because Rab was up the road.

Matt Kipling.

"I was finished because I’d made the effort to get up to Kay, so Gary took it with Kipling second and me third.”

Another good day for the Endura team – but what does next year hold for the Livingston men?

There are all sorts of rumours floating about – we’ll be sorting the fact from the fiction for you on the future of Endura over the next few weeks (we hope!)

Stay tuned!

Postscript

Thanks to the wonders of a good old fashioned land telephone line [Gary has agreed to a doo loft at his house for the VeloResults carrier pigeons in 2010] we finally got hold of the winner on Sunday afternoon;

"I knew I had good legs for the race, I'd trained very hard for the Richmond Premier Calendar (23:08:09 where Gary was 11th behind team mate Evan Oliphant in 10th) and that form is still with me.

"I knew that if I rode sensibly then I could win on that uphill finish if it came to a sprint.

"I rode sensibly; there were a lot of attacks in the last four miles but it was a block headwind and no one got more than 100 yards.

"I just waited and it worked out for me at the end.

"I'm off on holiday in a week or two then I'll start my build up for 2010.

"It's been an up and down year for me, I've had the wins in the Super Sixes but I was disappointed not to make the Elite Athlete Programme; I couldn't get my head round that one.

"The crash at Girvan was also a big disappointment.

"But I still want to go to the Games, next year; that's my goal - I just hope that politics don't play a part in the selections."

We hope so too.

Cheers Gary.

Endura’s Gary Hand took the July edition of the Super Six Series over 66 miles at a scorching Aberdeen on Saturday, beating Robin Wilkins from Stirling into second and Craig Adams from Falkirk into third with East of Scotland ‘old dog’ Andy Matheson grabbing fourth.

It looked as if Hand had missed the boat with a race long break two minutes clear and a lethargic bunch reluctant to chase.

Gary Hand continued Endura's domination of the Super 6 series.

But as Series leader he took the job on, along with Velo Ecosse’s Phil Brown, bridging up to the five leaders and running out winner.

Veteran Andy Mathieson rode a great race today.

Phil Brown.

Phil Brown explained;

“Gary and I attacked because it was clear that the bunch weren’t going to bring the break back, it took twenty miles of two-up time trialling – it was tough!”

Brown finished fifth, unlucky to collect a puncture in the last two miles and finishing on a soft front tyre.

Gary Hand told a similar story;

“We had Gordon Murdoch up there in the break; David Lines and I were covering for him, but I decided that I had to get across once I realised that the bunch wasn’t interested in chasing.

"It was nice to win with the Series leader’s jersey on my back.

"I’m off down to Blackpool tonight for the Premier, tomorrow – but I’m not there for myself – I’m there for James McCallum and Evan Oliphant.”

Endura continue their dominance then, with everyone wondering who can beat Oliphant in next month’s National Champs.

It's a long way - just ask Gary.

Hand’s big sprinting team mate, James McCallum took third after a cold and windy 80-odd miles on the pot-holed moor roads around Carnwath in Sunday’s Lang Whang Super Six.

Gary takes it to 2 from 4 (Super 6 wins this year that is).

The village of Braehead, wearing on for half distance on lap one, was our first sight of the race and a cold wind was whistling in from the East; the wind farm across the valley at Forth was enjoying it, but it would be interesting to see if the bunch felt the same way.

These turbines are in the right spot!

Sure enough, they were huddled together for warmth, with just Paul Rennie (Dooleys) trying to let the cold in, as he pummelled a ‘big one’ off the front.

Paul Rennie gives it a dig.

It wasn’t any warmer up near Tarbrax, where we caught our second sight of the race.

Hand, Coutts and Super Six series leader were already clear, with Hand’s team mate David Lines trying to rev his way across the gap; but it wasn’t a ‘rev’ kind of a day – ‘bludgeon’ would have been better.

Jimmy Leslie on his Trek; "what can I say".

Super Vet, Jim Lesley (thebicycleworks.com) put in an appearance at this stage – he’s training for the Trossachs – and received a VR reprimand for being astride a US Postal Trek; bad form!

By the time we caught the race again, at the descent off the finish line, the break was up to nine and Jamesy was giving victory salutes already.

Alright James!

Days like today remind you how empty Scotland is; the moors stretch for miles up there and it really is a “lang whang” from Currie down to Carnwath with hardly a house in sight.

The cash line machine didn’t work at Carnwath – why wasn’t that a surprise? – but the break was working well, a minute clear.

We caught the bunch on the famous road itself, but a speedo reading of 17/18 mph meant that the break wasn’t coming back today.

Gary jumps the break to take the prime - or so we thought. This was the creation of the winning move.

The finish line for the second time and we were lucky to see the winning move go – although we didn’t know it at the time – as Hand zoomed off to take the prime; or so we thought.

We didn’t see it happen, but Coutts countered, caught him and that was that.

Stuart tries to get away from the bunch and up to his teammates in the break.

The bunch was at two minutes plus, with Stuarty McGregor trying to get across to Dooleys team mates Nicholson and Rennie – not today, Stuart!

Up near Tarbrax again, it was a little less icy; we were intrigued by the sign which read; ‘Covenanter’s Grave'.

This way to the Covenanter's Grave. We're going to go and have a look one day.

Martin did 'the Google thing’ on his BlackBerry, and it transpires that back in 1666 there was a fierce battle on the moors here with 3000 Government troops routing 1000 Covenanters.

A local shepherd, Adam Sanderson, buried one of the unfortunate Covenanters, John Carphin, atop a hill so that the dead man’s last wish – that he would rest in sight of his beloved Ayrshire Hills – would be fulfilled.

Paul Coats in the break.

Another - if less bloody - battle was being fought out on the heavy tarmac of the Lang Whang as Hand and Coutts drove hard into the headwind.

We got the opportunity to check out the top two for a few miles.

We tucked in behind the winning pair; with not a commissaire in sight to give us a row for taking pix from the car – a result!

Gary and Alex with less than 10 miles to go.

Gary Hand was awarded top marks for ripped legs, but had to be marked down for over-long socks; Alex Coutt’s sock length was spot on, however.

Coutts was doing the lion’s share of the work and Hand was happy to let him – unsurprisingly.

"How many seconds?", "No lads - you've got at least a minute!"

We gave them a shout from the car that they had a minute and immediately their speed dropped as both men thought about the long dragging finish straight.

Gary Hand takes a business-like win, in front of Alex Coutts.

Hopping past for finish line pictures, we were in time to watch Coutts lead out, but Hand was having none of that, especially on his home patch - countering immediately to come in several lengths clear.

Slight disappointment on James' face at 'only' third?

James McCallum had the nitro boost on for third, taking the last podium spot by a huge margin.

What they said

Imagine what welcome Jamesy would get for winning!

Martin chatted to James McCallum at the finish, and he was as pragmatic as usual;

"No, we didn't really go into the race with a set plan, or really any plan at all, so when Gary attacked the break with a lap - 30 miles - to go, I did think perhaps it was too far from the finish.

"Still, he and Alex built a good lead and held onto it well, and it's a great result for the team, and for Gary - especially after the problems he's been having with his shoulder.

"Actually I'm pleasantly surprised with that third place today, considering I've just been training for and racing in crits for the last few weeks. I've just been doing speedwork and intervals, but the endurance is still there."

We asked James about the teams' new recruits [see yesterday's interview with Evan Oliphant];

"Aye, Evan and Ross. They'll bring some good firepower to the squad. I've done the last few crits - Woking and Peterborough - with Evan in the team, and it makes such a difference - you know your back's covered if you attack, and if you're brought back, someone will go over the top for you.

"We're really looking forward to building the team up, consolidating on this year and really going for it next year.

"With Ross, Evan and myself also on the Elite Athlete Programme, with the next Commonwealth Games in mind, we'll get lots of opportunities to gain experience and good quality racing.

"We're registered as a UCI Continental team, which means that Evan and I will be able to ride the Track Nationals as well as the Track World Cups - there's funding available for us to ride the events in Manchester and then Melbourne, which will be great preparation for the 'Games."

Alex told us he hadn't been on his bike for a while - after his second place, we think he was being cute with us!

Whilst I had a word with Alex Coutts;

“Gary jumped through the line with a lap to go and I went with him.

"We were out there for a full lap, it was pretty tough. Maybe I did a little more than my fair share, but I knew that McCallum was behind and he’d beat us all in the sprint, if it came together.

"I was cramping up a wee bit on that last lap so I’m happy enough with the result.

"My programme with the team is almost finished for the year, we have the Tour of Serbia next week then I’m home for the rest of the season.”

Gary and Alex collaborated well for a third of the race.

Winner Gary Hand was next to tell us his story;

“James said that he thought Alex would attack through the finish, so I decided to go first.

"Alex countered and came across to me, I’d hoped a few more would come across, there were guys in the break not working and I was worried about them, if it came to a sprint.

"Doing a full lap with just two of us was savage, but Alex was strong on the climbs and into the wind.

"He may have done a bit more than me, but he knew that he was guaranteed at least second if we stayed away; but if we were caught then he’d be looking at fifth or sixth.

"I’m pleased with the result because I’m not back to full fitness after breaking my collar bone – but I’m getting there.”

That’s pretty obvious, Gary!

Stop Press

As if Gary's win wasn't enough, we received this text from Endura new boy, Evan Oliphant just a few minutes ago;

"Got Endura's first top 10 at a Premier, today - the Ryedale.

"Went for the win, 3km go but got caught and was 10th, only 15 or so riders left.

"Long race 115 miles, Russ downing won."

Evan scores a good result for Endura in a Premier race.

And with Duncan Urquhart getting 12th, it's not been a bad old day for Endura, then.

4th - Tony Fawcett (NFM Racing Team).

5th - Paul Coates (Squadra Via Mazzini).

6th - Michael Nicolson (Dooleys Cycles).

John Kermode wins the bunch sprint.

Result

'A' Race

1. Gary Hand (Endura Racing)
2. Alex Coutts (Heraklion-Nessebar-Kastro)
3. James McCallum (Endura Racing)
4. Tony Fawcett (NFM Racing Team)
5. Paul Coates (Squadra Via Mazzini)
6. Michael Nicolson (Dooleys Cycles)

'B' Race

Coming!

What’s that? Julie’s son’s christening, Sunday morning – no, no, I didn’t forget, darling, of course not...

And that’s why weren’t there; but we did talk to a few guys who were: 

Phil Brown (Equipe Velo Ecosse)

Phil Brown during the last Super 6 race in Leven.

First question from VeloResults was the obvious one; “who won?” 

"James McCallum (Endura Racing) took it from Ross Creber (Plowman) and Alistair Kay (York Cycleworks); James is very strong at the moment."

Remind us of the parcours, please. 

"Balfron to Kippen to Thornhill to Callendar over the Braes of Greenock to Aberfoyle over the Dukes Pass, then two laps of a finishing circuit at Balfron by way of the Top of The World climb."

How did it go? 

"There was a big group away early, around 20 riders and that was the race, all the big names made it, except Paul Coats.

"Gary Hand rode really well today, he did a lot of work for James before got tailed off, just before me, on the finishing circuit.

"It came down to a sprint and James won by a couple of lengths from Ross. I’m not sure of my exact finishing position, 11th or 12th I think."

Who impressed? 

"James is obviously going well and so was Ross, he was in a three man break for about 20 miles with Michael Nicholson and Paul Rennie (both Dooleys) but still managed second place.

"Martin Ford was up from England and I think he was the guy that Endura were worried about - he did look strong."

Are you happy with your race? 

"I missed Girvan and I missed the Dave Campbell in Fife, last weekend, so I’m a bit ‘short’ when the distance goes over 70 miles.

"The trouble is that May is a bit quiet as far as road racing goes, I’m trying to keep away from time trials - if I ride a ‘10’ or a ’25.’ I always think; ‘I’d have been better doing three or four hours training today, rather than this.’

"With the benefit of hindsight, I should have sat in on the finishing circuits, I was getting involved, hoping that maybe I could sneak a little group away, but I didn’t happen and I got tailed off."

Next in the witness box was:

Rab Wardell (Kinesis)

Rab Wardell at the Kinesis team launch.

How’s the new team going, Rab? 

"The bikes and team set up are good; you don’t have to think about anything, just turn up and race.

"The only negative has been that we’ve had illness problems; most of the guys have colds and are just getting back into it now."

You rode The Rutland, last weekend, how was it? 

"I was struggling a bit towards the end on those short, sharp hills; it’s different down there, so many guys are willing to race. But it’s a great race, well promoted and a lot of spectators out."

How was today? 

"I made the split, but I’m not at 100%, I’ve had the cold since Girvan, I keep thinking that I’ve got rid of it; then it comes back.

"I’m still gaining experience of road racing; maybe I’m doing too much; I was comfortable for most of the race, but I was feeling it in the last five miles; the group just whittled down all day and I finished somewhere around 12th in the sprint."

Hindsight? 

"I think we should have ridden the Dukes Pass harder, to dislodge the passengers, by the time we hit the Top of the World, it was a strong head wind and no one was keen to ride hard into that.

"I should have ridden a bit more cagily, but it’s difficult, people see the Kinesis jersey; you’re heavily marked and expected to do a lot of work."

Next up? 

"The Lincoln, next weekend, that’s a special race; then I have the Ras in May with the Tour of Beauce UCI race, in Canada, in June."

Of course, we had to speak to the ‘man of the moment,’

James McCallum (Endura Racing)

James McCallum at the Endura team launch.

Here’s what he said:

“It’s a great course, I love it, but maybe I’m just saying that because I won!

"The race was very well organised and it is an event that I’ve always wanted to win; winning here today and the Dave Campbell in Fife, last weekend – after three second places there – has been pretty special.

"There’s been a lot happening in my life outside of cycling, this last week; I had my birthday celebrations and we’ve moved to a new flat – so, I’m very happy with this form.

"The big group went away early today, on the Braes of Greenock; Gary Hand said to me that it looked like the move of the day and did most of the work to get us across.

"He did a great ride today; it was him who did most of the chasing down of the Creber/Nicholson break; Paul Rennie was with them, but he got shelled.

"I was keeping an eye on Martin Ford, I didn’t realise that he was there ‘til I saw him in the neutralised section.

"The sprint could have turned out badly, there was a gap between Ford and Arthur Doyle; I was worried that Ford would shut the door on me, but I got through and won by two lengths from Ross Creber – he’s riding well just now."

Are you happy with how Endura rode today? 

"Gary said to me at the start; ‘it’s your race’ and they did everything to help that happen – very happy. It’s a shame we’ve been without Gary for three weeks, but he’s back, now."

Next up?

"Lincoln, then a steady week or two, then it’s the build up for the criterium series – I have good form just now; I’ll need to look after it."

James knows how to enjoy himself.

That’s for sure; with thanks to Phil, Rab and James for their help and patience.

Gary takes the second round of the Super 6 series.

Team mates Gordon Murdoch and Duncan Urquhart took second and fourth respectively, to make it a quality day for the men in red and white.

Spoiling the party just a little was Rapha-Condor's Matt Cronshaw, who, despite a severe working-over from the winners, grabbed third place.

Spring sunshine, tempered by a cool westerly breeze greeted the peloton as it rolled out of Buckhaven.

VeloResults had planned to catch the race for the first time on Largo Law, however, guest photographer for the day, Bethany, decided that her cheese, ham and onion pasty had to be micro-waved.

Guest photog Beth's brunch came first.

This meant that our first look at the race was from outside the sandwich shop at Lundin Links - early break specialists, Paul Coats (Squadra Via Manzini-Race Tool) and Endura's Urquhart were already on the attack.

An anxious moment for a couple of riders in the bunch.

Up at Moonzie, it was still Endura at the head of affairs as Hand and Callum Wilkinson battled the stiffening westerly, ten seconds ahead of Cronshaw, leading a group of six and already on the defensive.

Two groups of around a dozen passed with a handful of seconds between them, but for the bunch, more than a minute back, it was over already.

On the second ascent of Largo Law it was Wilkinson; still 12 seconds clear of Cronshaw's team mate, Ben Greenwood, but right behind the man in black was Endura's David Lines.

Endura Racing controlled the activity today pretty conclusively.

It was clear that there would be no repeat of Super Six number one, where Endura missed the boat.

Duncan worked hard and looked good for the win to us.

West of Craigrothie on lap two, it was Urquhart who had picked up the batten as he plugged into the wind; Colin Humphrey (Sports Cover) was trying to bridge, but had Murdoch glued to his wheel.

Colin tried hard to repeat his podium finish in the first Super 6 at Gifford.

Cronshaw was in pursuit but another Endura - David Lines - was leading the group behind him.

The race was now between some 20 riders; the bunch was history.

Matt rode a clever race, but was always on a hiding to nothing.

The third time up the Law saw the definitive move of the race consolidate as Urquhart, Murdoch, Hand, Humphrey and Cronshaw lead Lines by some 45 seconds.

Boxing clever, or waiting for Lines to come across to make four in front?

On the small circuit off the main one from Ceres, it was Urquhart stalling at the front to let Lines get across and the Army man looked like a winner to us.

Duncan looks at ease.

Phil Brown was amongst the front runners.

However, it was Hand who finished alone from Murdoch on the quiet finishing straight behind Lundin Links, with more daylight back to an understandably frustrated Cronshaw.

Gary empties the tank in the rush for the line.

Three happy Endura riders, one somewhat pragmatic Rapha one.

Urquhart made it three out of four; in a situation like this, the big team is damned if it wins and damned if it doesn't - but it's always better to win!

Gary is very happy with his team.

Gary Hand was quick to praise his squad;

"We really wanted to win today, there were eight of us, so we had no excuse not to. But having said that, the team all did their job very well. Cronshaw was strong, he countered all of our moves.

"I actually cramped up on one of the last drags, but it free-ed off and I got my second wind. When I attacked, I didn't think that it was going to be the winning move, it was to force Cronshaw to chase. I'm happy with my form, I've started later this year, I want to try and peak for the British.

"So far, I haven't done any intervals, juts base work, so I'm very happy with how I'm going."

At the finish, Gordon couldn't get over how comfy his bike now is.

Gordon Murdoch spoke to Martin;

"That was great. A great result for the team, and the end of a good week for me too- it's taken me a while to get my position sorted on the new bike, cleat positioning and so on, and now I feel fantastic on the bike.

"We wanted to dictate the race today, make sure we got in all the moves and control things - (laughing) we can't have the English guys coming up here and having it all their own way anymore!

Yeah, we worked Matt over a little, but it took some doing - he was very strong today. We decided to start attacking him from 20 miles out, to make sure his sprint was taken down, Gary actually had cramp, but fought his way back on with about four miles to go, caught us and kept his momentum up, sweeping straight by us. To be fair, Matt worked hard to try to bring him back, and he's done a good ride to get 3rd, but we weren't going to have any other result today. Very happy."

It's fair to say Matt has probably been happier.

Matt Cronshaw was philosophical about the game that was played on him;

"It was always gonna happen, I was trying to shut them down as quickly as possible so they wouldn't get a gap but I was getting no help at all.

"I'm enjoying being with Rapha-Condor, it's a great set up; John Herety has treated me really well.I did the two squad training camps in Malaga, which were really good for my form, but didn't go to the races in South Africa.

Girvan? No, I'm going to the Tour of the North, in Ireland."

Round Two to Endura, then.

With Girvan next and all the English big hitters heading for Ayrshire, we'll see you there.

Congratulations Gary.

Attacking early on the first circuit of this 8 lap/65 mile "A" race around the East Lothian market town of Gifford with Paul Coates (now back with Squadra Via Mazzini - RaceTool Bicycles), and joined on the second lap by Collin Humphrey (Sports Cover), Nicolson drove the collaborating trio to a maximum lead of over 3 minutes with two laps to go, before sensing Coates was weakening and Humphrey was a danger. Deciding to go it alone, Nicolson finished in glorious solitude.

Humphrey hung on bravely to finish in second place, 40 seconds ahead of a splintered, splattered and wind-battered half-bunch, with Paul Rennie (Dooleys RT) going one place better than last year, taking the gallop for third.

Chief Comm Ken Whitson looks for a microphone for the pep talk.

I can't believe it's been a year since we covered the first edition of the Goblin Ha' race around Gifford, time flies.

Back then, even though it was windy, it was quite sunny - we had snowdrops appearing at the roadside and spring felt just around the corner.

This week however, we had snow in this part of Scotland, and the biting south-easterly wind still carried a fair "wooly hat required" chill - the overcast, grey skies meant leg warmers and winter gloves were the order of the day. The roads were pretty greasy too, but at least it was dry.

Newly launched Team Endura have a chat about tactics. It wasn't to be their day though.

The circuit is pretty lumpy (we previewed the course last year), and a number of people mentioned today that they thought it was almost too tough for many riders at this time of year. I'm not so sure - 65 undulating miles isn't beyond reasonable for a properly wintered rider; the Girvan isn't too far away after all, and there is always the option of the shorter "B" race.

Last year's organiser, Chris Harney, is off back to Australia, and so it was that Edinburgh Road Club's Sandra Murdoch stepped up to the job. As you'd expect from a promoting club which boasts nearly 500 members, the race was well marshalled and organised. After riding around the course on my moto all afternoon and looking forward to a cuppa and a burger, I did miss the BBQ this year though!

Incidentally, I've only been in the sponsoring Goblin Ha' Hotel in Gifford once since the race last year, and my lasting memory of that visit was of one of the locals sitting in the bar resplendant in a T-shirt announcing "Darwin sucks - I ain't no chimp".

How it unfolded

Mike Nicolson was definitely the man of the match today.

Nicolson started the action on lap one, attacking on his own around the back of the circuit, and being joined quickly by Coates. They quickly had 10 seconds lead on a still not-quite-warmed-up-yet peloton.

On the second lap the front two were being pursued by the tall figure of Humphrey, working manfully to close a gap of 20 seconds. The bunch didn't look "bovered though".

20 seconds doesn't look much, but it was a long way for Collin Humphrey.

I was surprised to see Greig Walker (Edinburgh Road Club) off the back at this stage, after his strong Silver Medal in the Scottish Cyclo-Cross Championships in December - I figured he must have had a mechanical or puncture.

Humphrey made contact with the two leaders before the end of the second lap, and the three men worked well together to really cement their move.

The trio set about consolidating their lead.

By Bolton, ¾ of the way around lap three, they were around a minute clear of two escapees from the bunch - Callum Wilkinson (Endura Racing) and Arthur Doyle (Dooleys RT). These two were brought to heel before the end of the lap, when James McCallum marshalled his Endura Racing troops, and tried to organise things to limit the gap to the leaders, which was now 40 seconds, and creeping up.

Endura Racing try to limit the advantage.

That didn't work however, and after the start of the fifth lap, the gap was now over two minutes 20 seconds from front to bunch. Maybe it had something to do with the Endura lads only getting and building their bikes last night - too bad for them that Giant recently recalled bikes from the UK due to a carbon fork problem, and only started importing them again last week.

As ever, Jammy Johnston drove just before the race (kinda like the publicity caravan does at the Tour de France, well, sort of) and through his loudspeakers he did a superb job of letting everyone watching know what the time-gaps were.

Arthur Doyle was very active today.

Arthur Doyle - again - and Alan Thomson (Glasgow Couriers - DB Developments) were in the middle of the gap, chasing hard.

Kate got a second chance today.

Kate Cullen (R & TC Groenewoud) was doing really well and was still with the bunch at this point, having actually started the "B" race earlier on - she punctured soon after the neutralised section in that one, and didn't get race service, which put paid to the day, or so she thought. The organisers made a nice gesture by allowing her a start in the "A" race with the menfolk.

By halfway on the sixth lap, Nicolson, Coates and Humphrey were two minutes ahead of a soloing Arthur Doyle, and the bunch followed 40 seconds after that. For the first time, there were big gaps appearing as Gordon Murdoch (Endura Racing) piled on the pressure at the front, and those guys with only base miles in their legs and lacking the speed were found out.

Gordon Murdoch and Scott Macrae (Endura Racing) piled on the pressure.

The bunch split with a couple of laps to go.

On the Slateford climb just after starting lap seven, Nicolson delivered the attack that would seal his victory. Just as well, the bunch, which had split into two equal parts, had closed to within one-and-a-half minutes.

There's no doubt Mike Nicolson was the strongest.

Charging up the hill he looked composed, and able to dig deep. It's only then that I noticed he was wearing a skinsuit. This reminded me of Zabriski doing this in Paris-Tours last year, with a well-executed attack. I wondered if Nicolson too was following a carefully-laid plan.

Paul Coates rode a great race, off the front for most of it.

By the KoM prime he was well clear. Humphrey followed 50 seconds later - on his own: where was Coates? The answer came only after the two main bunches had gone by; blown. Good effort Paul, pretty much the whole race off the front.

The riders at the back of the race were clawing their way painfully over the prime summit, their race over. That said, many riders finished the distance despite being dropped very early on, which takes some perseverance.

Last lap and the bunch are chasing.

Last lap, and passing Colstoun House Nicolson was two minutes 15 seconds ahead of Humphrey, who had some urgency in his riding again. Reason: the front bunch were snapping half-a-minute at his heels.

If only Humphrey had known that there was a fair amount of "Come through!" shouts going on in the group, and it was clear there wasn't a concerted effort to close in further on the front two.

And it stayed like this until the finish, with Nicolson enjoying his biggest win so far. Looking back down the finishing straight and seeing no-one, I suspect he enjoyed the last few hundred metres the most.

Paul Rennie completes a good day for Dooleys RT - 1st and 3rd.

Humphrey increased his gap a little to secure second, and Paul Rennie scorched in two lengths clear of the bunch for third place.

Mike's team-mates were overjoyed with his win.

It was easy to grab a word with the winner, waiting patiently for the rest of the race to come across the line:

The winner.

Mike Nicolson

After winning a number of races last year, and placing a few times in the Super 6 races, Mike has moved up a level. In his third year at Glasgow University studying Electronic Engineering, he's enjoying being in a team with a lot of experience:

"Yeah, the guys are great and full of advice, and no, I didn't have a plan! I just went! I was hoping to take some folk with me, and when it was just two of us I wasn't sure we would go far, but when Collin came up he added enough power to make us think we could do something.

"We worked well together, but I felt that the bunch might get close with a couple of laps to go, so I took off. I felt pretty strong, and with the BikeLine next week I wanted to give myself a good test, see where I am form-wise."

Right where you should be, we say.

2nd place.

Collin Humphrey

"It's been completely manic! I only got my racing licence and bike yesterday! (Collin was on a Giant too). It's worked out really well though, so I'm very satisfied. I took a good lap to get up to the front two, and it was horrendous - that headwind!

"Once we were together we worked really well, but when the other guys started smashing it up I thought 'what are you doing? You'll wreck our advantage", but I guess they knew what to do.

"I've had Kevin Dawson helping me over the winter, and it's made a tremendous difference, in my head as well as physically. Today has been good for that too - I'm riding the BikeLine next week, so now I reckon I'll be okay to at least sit in an elite bunch.

How long have I been riding? Only a short while compared to most. I won the North East Div Champs last year, but four years ago I was into body-building and weighed over 18 stone! My grandfather got me into cycling, and a couple of years ago on the day I won my first race, he passed away. It's as if he was waiting to see me start to do well before he went."

Congratulations to Mike, Collin, Pauls Rennie and Coats, all the other riders who finished a hard season-opener, and everyone involved in the organisation.

The course & competitor details are here.

Result

1 23 Michael Nicolson Dooleys RT 02:51:49
2 65 Collin Humphrey Sports Cover 01:38
3 24 Paul Rennie Dooleys RT 02:02
4 28 David Lines Endura Racing 02:04
5 12 Colin Ash Activ Cycles Fentimans RT same time
6 48 Watt Alister Granite City RT / Ledingham Cha same time
7 33 Lewis Oliphant Equipe Velo Ecosse/Montpeliers same time
8 1 Gordon Murdoch Endura Racing same time
9 41 Euan Pope Glasgow Couriers / DB Developme same time
10 20 Arthur Doyle Dooleys RT same time
11 64 Robert Hassan Rockhard Racing same time
12 36 Martin Coopland Falkirk BC same time
13 76 Rab Wardell Kinesis same time
14 29 Scott Macrae Endura Racing same time
15 62 Darren Tiffen Probikekit same time
16 22 Graham McGarrity Dooleys RT 03:03
17 4 Ross Crook Edinburgh RC same time
18 75 Paul McInally Rock and Road Cycles same time
19 52 Veli Matti Raikkonen Granite City RT / Ledingham Cha same time
20 8 Colin May Edinburgh RC same time
21 21 Stuart MacGregor Dooleys RT same time
22 40 Jamie Kennedy Glasgow Couriers / DB Developme same time
23 37 James Mcpake Falkirk BC same time
24 45 Graeme Neagle Glasgow Wheelers same time
25 73 Alastair McNicol Velo Ecosse same time
26 74 Dean Martin Velo Ecosse same time
27 72 Ben Abrahams Velo Ecosse same time
28 70 Gary McCrae Team Leslie Bikshop / Right Mov same time
29 67 Robin Wilkinson Stirling Bike Club same time
30 39 Barry Crumlish Glasgow Couriers / DB Developme same time
31 53 Russell Bayliss GS Metro same time
32 69 Stevie Crowther Team Leslie Bikshop / Right Mov same time
33 13 David Robinson Activ Cycles Fentimans RT same time
34 31 Callum Wilkinson Endura Racing same time
35 2 Tim Blathwayt Edinburgh RC 03:16
36 16 Derek Smith City of Edinburgh RC 10:51
37 7 Calum MacLean Edinburgh RC same time
38 71 Raymond Reidy Team Leslie Bikshop / Right Mov 16:06
39 44 Jamie Drever Glasgow Wheelers same time
40 34 Finlay Young Equipe Velo Ecosse/Montpeliers 17:19
41 14 Raymond Turner Activcycles Fentimans RT 17:23
42 9 Ross Spence Edinburgh RC 20:41
43 46 Keith Smith Glasgow Wheelers 21:03
44 51 Liam Cowie Granite City RT / Ledingham Cha 21:07
45 55 Micky Mallen GS Metro 21:09
46 38 Franco Porco Falkirk BC same time
47 57 James Daly Johnstone Wheelers 27:11:00
48 56 Frank Morris GS Metro 38:11:00
49 17 Matthew Hamilton Discovery Junior CC at 1 lap
50 19 James Smith Discovery Junior CC at 1 lap