Wheelie good fun at Ellon Crit

Scottish National Youth TT Championship 

Saturday 17thAugust saw riders assemble in Drumoak for the Scottish National Youth TT Championship, organised by Deeside Thistle. The race was held on a slightly modified version of the standard Drumoak 10 course that many Ythanites had raced on the week before. Due to roadworks, the start had to be moved further back, creating a 10.6 mile course.

Daniel Kain claimed the Scottish National Youth A (Boys) Time Trial Championship, ahead of Fraser Gault and Alexander Gibb (Edinburgh RC). 

Morven Yeoman claimed the Girls Youth A Gold ahead of her East Kilbride team-mate, Imani Pereira-James and Kirsty Johnson of Edinburgh RC. 

In the Youth B (Girls) the gold medal was taken by Evie White (Deeside Thistle CC) for the second year running. Corey Whiteford of Lanark race team claimed gold in the boys Youth B race. 

Gavin Gronkowski and Robert Smart finished in 12thand 13thplaces respectively. 

An open TT was also held on the same day for the adults, with Gavin’s dad, Ewan Gronkowski, taking an excellent bronze medal behind Jamie Davidson (Bioracer Moriarty Bikes) and Kelvin Whyte (Sparta Breda). 

Scottish National Youth Series race no. 4 – Ellon Youth Criterium 

Following the downpours of last year’s Ellon Crit, there was relief all round on Sunday morning, as sunshine and a slight breeze welcomed the best riders from across Scotland for round 4 of the Scottish National Youth series. The races were held on a 700m closed road circuit around Ellon town centre. 

In every race the kids demonstrated great racing and bike-handling skills, and riders and spectators alike enjoyed the superbly organised event. Well done to Colin Allanach on yet another wonderful day of youth racing on our home patch. His relief at handing over the reins for organising the event was clear, as Colin spent the rest of the afternoon roaring around the town centre as a T-Rex!

Details of the races and podium places are as follows.

Under 8s

A large contingent of Ythan riders lined up for the opening race of the day, a 10 minute race plus 1 lap on the 700m closed road circuit around Ellon town centre. All Ythan riders showed great skill and effort, with Isabella Smith claiming her first podium place in a road race. She took 2ndplace in the girls race, and 3rdplace overall. Eden Thomson of Deeside Thistle took 1stplace in the girls race, with Ruaraidh Macpherson winning the boys race. 

Charlotte Cordiner finished in 6thplace, while Matthew Moran, Thomas Fyall and Brodie Scouller finished in 5th, 6thand 12thplaces respectively. More importantly they all did it with smiles on their faces!

Under 10s

Eilidh Gronkowski was the only Ythan rider to line up in the U10 race, which was a 10 min race (plus 1 lap).  Eilidh put in a great performance finishing in 6thplace. 

Melanie Rowe of Deeside Thistle won the girls race, with Xander Graham winning the boys race. 

Under 12s

Four Ythanites lined up in the U12 race, which was 15 mins + 2 laps. Matthew Smith put in a sterling performance to claim 3rdplace after a hotly contested sprint.  

The girls race would see the same podium as in 2018 with Erin Boothman (East Kilbride), Arabella Blackburn (Deeside Thistle) and Anna Birrell (Edinburgh RC) claiming the top 3 places after a thrilling race. 

In the boys race Adam Murray took 1stplace ahead of Edwyn Atterton (Edinburgh RC) and Matthew Smith (Ythan CC). 

Euan Murphy, Andrew Ingram and Kyle Gibson finished in 6th, 7thand 11thplaces respectively. 

Under 14s (25 mins + 3 laps) 

Robert Smart, Jimmy Coleman and Gavin Gronkowski lined up in the U14 race. Gavin Gronkowski was putting in an excellent performance when a rider in front of him slowed down suddenly, causing a crash and ending the riders race. Unfortunately Gavin suffered a broken bone in his arm, in only his second race back from a previous break. We all wish him a speedy recovery.

The race ended with a thrilling photo finish, with Jamie Thomson taking the win from Luis Ryder by 0.5 seconds. Robert Smart and Jimmy Coleman finished in 11thand 13thplaces respectively. Deeside riders Evie White and Mille Thomson provided an equally thrilling finish, crossing the line seconds apart. 

Under 16s (40 mins +3 laps) 

There were no Ythanites lined up in the U16 race, although the crowd was out in force to cheer on former Ythan youth riders Daniel Kain, Fraser Gault and Cameron Brown in what would be a very fast race with an exciting spring finish. 

Daniel Kain won the boys race, just ahead of Alexander Gibb and Fraser Gault in a sprint finish, with Imani Pereira-James taking an uncontested win in the girls race. 

Pedal car race

The Ythan ladies swapped two wheels for four on Sunday, as they powered through the streets of Ellon on their custom-built pedal car! They did a sterling job, braving the water pistols on Costcutter corner and finishing in a very respectable 9thplace. Well done ladies!

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