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Post date: 17-Dec-2012 16:53:44
The final race of the Scottish Cyclocross Series took place on Saturday and Perth United fielded 6 riders across 3 races.
Rory, showing everyone how it should be done
First up was Rory McGuire. Fully recovered from a hard interval session at minus 6 earlier that week he took his new 26" wheel bike to do battle for the first time. Rory found himself in third after the first lap but with some energetic support and guidance from his team mates he dug deep and took a convincing win… his first cyclocross victory. Very impressive!
Lewis Champion, Mark McGuire and Matthew Peters were next up. The U16 race is on the full course, an unbelievably technical circuit with shin-deep mud, brutal off-camber and energy sapping run-ups. It is also extraordinarily beautiful… but you tend not to notice that when you're racing…
A win for Lewis would mean he'd take the series…. but when these boys race no quarter is asked or given… the best rider on the day would take the race.
It was neck and neck for lap after lap with Mark and Lewis each benefiting from the other's mistakes and repeated crashes… Lewis described the race as his hardest of the year and despite his best efforts Mark's amazing bike handling won out with him taking a well-earned victory.
Mark, pushing the limits on the way to victory
Lewis, battling hard
Matthew had some pretty epic battles of his own before puncturing and having to ride a spare bike for the last lap… unfortunately it was set up for a shorter rider as Matty proved when he cleared it completely on the remount!
Matty, about to remount after a tricky off camber section
So Matthew 4th, Lewis 2nd and Mark 1st resulted in them finishing the series in 5th, 2nd and 3rd respectively… Great job boys!
The Vets Race saw Barry McGuire and Mark Champion in action. Barry delivered his race of the season taking a very impressive 4th place. Mark managed to throw himself over his handlebars 3 minutes into the race remounting in last place, so was delighted to take 23rd in the field of 37.
Barry, fighting the tough conditions to a season best 4th place
So Barry was first Perth rider in the Series coming 9th with Gordon Chisholm taking 16th (on 3 races) and Ally Little taking 36th (not bad considering he only finished one of the 3 races he started!)
World Champions jerseys aren't easy to come by so the opportunity to take the rainbow stripes created much excitement as we prepared for Sunday's Santa Cross World Championship.
Impressive views on Mull
Again Rory set the standard becoming Perth United's first ever wearer of the rainbow stripes with a magnificent win leading from the off.
Sunday's course replaced some of the mud with a lot of climbing giving Lewis the opportunity for revenge, an opportunity that he duly took along with our second Rainbow Jersey. Mark came 2nd and Matthew came 4th… pretty impressive for the only youth Santa with a full beard!
Mark, chasing Mrs Claus
A mechanical on the first lap cost Barry a place over Saturday, still posting a very impressive 5th. Mark repeated his epic first lap crash routine, starting last and finishing 23rd. Barry ended the weekend £30 richer and Mark got a box of biscuits… both were disproportionately delighted!
Next race is the British Nationals in Bradford where Lewis will be representing the club and then it's the rescheduled Scottish Championships where all the boys, Gordon and Barry will be in contention.
Race report and pictures courtesy of Mark Champion. Full result listings on www.scottishcyclocross.org.uk
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