Knockburn Cyclocross Scottish Champs – 7th December 2014

Post date: 16-Dec-2014 21:39:07

A cold but clear day met the Perth ‘crossers for the trip up north to the Knockburn Loch purpose built sports facility for the 2014 Cyclocross Scottish Championships. With café, bike washing facilities, changing rooms (with hot showers!), parking and great viewing locations this has to be the prime location for cyclocross in Scotland, all brilliantly organised by Deeside Thistle Cycling Club.

First up Perth United members in the under 14 race were Aaron King and Rory McGuire. Both boys have performed well all season and Aaron had a great ride to come home in 8th place. Rory McGuire, who shows a dedication to training that belies his years, DNF’d for the first time anyone can remember. We’ll let him off as he did actually chunder before deciding he really didn’t feel very well at all.

The ladies race saw the V40 ladies series leader Anne Chisholm take to the start line. The course suited her well apart from a tricky sand section which led to a tangle of bikes and precious seconds lost. In the end though it made no difference on the day and Anne took 4th place, a great result.

Anne, battling it out with the girls

The juniors started just ahead of the ladies and it was immediately obvious that Mark McGuire was the class act. Mark usually races the open category and challenges, and sometimes wins, the elite race so he was the clear favourite. Respect was paid to his competitors and he put some big efforts in to gain good cushion of time in case of mishaps. He romped home in first place and a well-deserved gold medal.

Mark, on the front from the gun

Last of the Perth United interest was in the V40 race. Always the biggest category, with this time (only!) 70 riders on the start line, seeding was critical to a good start with Barry McGuire on the front row and Gordon Chisholm on the second. Fast starting Ally Little was forced to the 4th row back which impeded his progress early on.

An added factor to the V40 race was the race was shortened to just 30 minutes. The commentator, Jammie Johnston, took serious ill just beforehand. It was a worrying time and everyone was very concerned as Jammie is a real personality and really boosts everyone’s spirits at all the races. An ambulance arrived and he was taken to Aberdeen Infirmary. Fortunately we have since heard he’s doing well. Best wishes to Jammie for a full recovery.

The V40 race finally got underway, with Barry and Gordon making good safe starts within the top 10. The shortened distance meant that just seconds separated the top riders, with even the tiniest of mistakes costing the riders dear. Gordon was fortunate to have some good riders to chase and with no mistakes just made it home with his best result of the year in 6th place. Chasing hard was Barry in 9th place just 22 seconds back, an uncharacteristic error costing him precious seconds. Ally performed well coming home in 36th place, a wee bit down on his potential. Jim King, who’s really caught the cyclocross bug now, had a great race coming home in 52nd place.

Gordon, almost in control on a slippy corner

Barry, on the uphill section

Ally, coming into the finishing arena

Results:

Rory McGuire - DNF U14 M

Aaron King – 8th U14 M

Anne Chisholm - 4th VL40

Mark McGuire – 1st U18 M

Gordon Chisholm – 6th VM40

Barry McGuire – 9th VM40

Ally Little – 36th VM40

Jim King – 52nd VM40