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Ythan Tour de force at the OVO Energy Tour Series

It was third time lucky when the OVO Energy Tour Series rolled into town on Thursday 16^th May. Once more, Aberdeen basked in warm Spring sunshine, showcasing the city at its granite-sparkling best. With the city centre’s most iconic streets transformed into a looping cycle-track, bedecked with advertising hoardings and cheering crowds, the stage was set for a day that celebrated all that is great about cycling.

Having finally re-opened after several years (or at least it felt that way) of road-works, Broad St became the focal point of the races, with the Start / Finish line taking pride of place outside the beautifully restored and imposing Marischal College. The new 1.1 km course followed a loop from Broad St through Upperkirkgate and Schoolhill, before weaving through Back Wynd, Little Belmont St, Belmont St, and emerging back onto Union St.

Ythan Cycle Club had a fantastic presence, with representatives in each of the support races, the iconic blue of their jerseys marking them out clearly as they hurtled around the city streets at breakneck speed. The day’s events kicked off with the youth races, with cycling clubs from around the north of Scotland giving their talented youngsters an opportunity to cycle on the same track as their heroes.

The U8 and U10 riders were the first to test out the new 2019 route. Eilidh Gronkowski was the only Ythanite in this race, finishing in a fine 4^th place.

Three young Ythanites lined up in the U12 race – Matthew Smith, Euan Murphy and Andrew Ingram. Ending up on the back row at the start line was not the most auspicious of starts! However all three of them fought their way back through the pack to finish in a fantastic 4^th, 5^th and 6^th positions respectively.

Gavin Gronkowski and Robert Smart worked well together for the first part of the U14 / U16 race, with their tremendous efforts securing them 6^th and 7^th places respectively. Former Ythan QL rider, Fraser Gault, now racing for Aberdeen Wheelers, completed the Scottish double by winning the U16 races in both the Motherwell and Aberdeen stages. An incredible result for the Oldmeldrum rider.

The youngsters having shown them how it’s done, it was time for the adults to don their lycra and take on the new course. Seven riders lined up in the Cat 3/4 race – Ewan Gronkowski, Stuart King, Mike Giles, Steve Rae, Scott Walker, Tommy Hooper and Mark Shepherd. Ewan held on to his position in the leading pack for most of the 30-minute race, until a 3-man breakaway of Aberdeen Wheelers riders sprinted clear on the penultimate lap. He finished in 7^th place (+13.9 seconds). Stuart King finished in 18^th place, Mike Giles closely behind in 21^st, Steve Rae in 30^th, Mark Shepherd in 41^st, Scott Walker in 43^rd and Tommy Hooper in 46^th  – chapeau gents!

The women’s race was a real tour de force for the club. They numbered nearly a third of the total participants – a record 9 riders out of 25! Kath Thomson was the first Ythan rider across the line, finishing in 8^th place, followed by Jenny Noble in 10^th and Carol Middleton in 12^th. Allison McKenzie took 16^th place, Claire Murphy – 19^th, Laura McPherson – 20^th, Kath Cable – 21^st and Terri Reid and Megan Stronach in 23^rd and 24^th respectively. Exhausted but exhilarated, they did the club – and coach Paul Winter – proud. Kudos ladies!

Alan Smith was the club’s only representative in the Cat 2/3/4 race. Having triumphed in the Cat 3/4 race in 2018, Smith was forced to battle it out in the tougher race this year. He stayed with the lead group for the first 6 laps, which averaged 44 km/hr, but struggled with the surge in acceleration each time the group left Belmont Street and headed back onto Union Street. As the race progressed he dropped off the back of the lead group, but pushed on to finish 10^th Cat 3 and 21^st overall.

The support races done and dusted for another year (well done to organiser Colin Allanach, who could finally breath a sigh of relief), excitement was building for the Elite races. History was made in the women’s race, with Jess Roberts of Team Breeze becoming the first woman to win three consecutive Tour Series events. Alex Paton led Canyon dhb home to a men’s team and individual Tour Series win. He and team-mate Charlie Tanfield came first and third, to claim the team prize for their squad.

Spectators and racers alike hailed the best Tour Series event in Aberdeen yet – haste ye back OVO Energy Tour Series!

Ythan CC Confined Time Trial no. 3

A large contingent of riders turned up a very pleasant evening for the 3^rd confined TT, held on the out-and-back course on the B9000 from Pitmedden to the roundabout near Foveran, and back. Due to the number of riders, the race was split into two races with 11 women and youths competing in one race, and 15 men competing in the other. It is worth noting that Ewan Gronkowski rode in his first club TT on a standard road bike, and went on to return to the time-keeper in the second fastest time of the night! The times of the three fastest riders were:

• Women             
  • Wendy Gault                                  31:06
  • Pippa Taverner                             33:03
  • Laura McPherson                         33:30   
• Youth
  • Gavin Gronkowski                      33:30
  • Robert Smart                                39:02
• Men
  • Mike Giles                                     24:20
  • Ewan Gronkowski                      24:40
  • Steve Rae                                      24:53

Grampian Evening Road Race Series – Race 2

On Thursday 9th May Aberdeen Wheelers hosted Race 2 of the Grampian Evening Road Race Series at Midmar.

Described as a short hilly road race, it covered a distance of 63km (39 miles) in a loop around Midmar between the B9119 and the A944.

The race was won by Michael Gordon of Aberdeen Wheelers. He managed to outsprint the 3 man Bioracer-Moriety Bikes team, who had led the breakaway of 6 riders. The chasing peloton of 20 riders finished two minutes further back, with a number of smaller groups coming in behind.

Stuart King finished in 34^th place (+14:28), with Steve Rae close behind in 39^th (+24:32).

Inchberry 10m TT

Two Ythan riders headed north to Inchberry, near Mosstodloch, for the Inchberry 10m TT on Thursday 9^th May. The 31 riders on the start-sheet were treated to a mild spring evening with little wind, promising some very fast times.

The out and back course started at the Inchberry hall in the direction of the Baxter’s roundabout on the A96. There the riders turned left and onwards to the roundabout at the opposite end of the Mosstodloch bypass, before doubling back to the finish near the start-line.

Mike Giles finished in 8^th place in a time of 23:47 – one second faster than his time in 2018. Carol Middleton finished in 24^th place, with a time of 27:09.

Finn Crockett was fastest home to the timekeeper, with a very fast time of 20:22, two minutes quicker than the second placed Kyle Carmel.

Grampian Grand Prix

Saturday the 11^th saw youth riders from all over Scotland descend on the race-track at Alford for the Grampian Grand Prix. The format would include crit races for the U8, U10, U12 and U14/U16 age groups.

Unfortunately the busy weekend calendar saw a number of Ythan CC QL youths away at other events. Nonetheless first class racing was on display by the riders that did attend.

First up was Matthew Moran in the U8 boys race. He showed the watching riders how to do it, finishing on the podium with a well- earned 3^rd place.

Eilidh Gronkowski was next up, competing in the U10 race and narrowly missed out on the podium, finishing in an excellent 4^th place. Former QL rider Melanie Rowe, won the race.

Andrew Ingram competed in the U12 race, which saw 20 riders battle it out. He finished in 7^th place, a very credible position, particularly considering all riders above him had spent the winter training at the Velodrome. The race was won by Alasdair Easton of Edinburgh RC.

Gavin Gronkowski represented the club in the combined U14/U16 race. He also finished in 7^th place in his first road race, having previously only competed on mountain bikes. The race was won by Jamie Thomson, of Johnstone Wheelers Cycling Club.

Fat Lad at the Back Sportif

Meanwhile, in the North Yorkshire dales, Ythan CC riders Annette and Paul Gordon set off on the more leisurely 50-mile Fat lad at the back (FLAB) Sportif. Back for the 4^th year, the billed itself as the biggest, fattest ride of the year, with a focus on enjoyable and friendly riding.

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Wind and hail no match for hardy Ythanites this week!

The Lumpy Python: Following on from the success of Ythan CC’s first Audax last year, the Lumpy Python, organised by Paul Gordon, returned on Saturday 4th May. It took riders on a very scenic route around the roads of the North-east, or at least a route that would have been scenic were it not for the howling gales and horizontal rain! Riders had the option of the Lumpy Python (112 km) or the Wee Python (63 km).  After leaving Ellon, the Lumpy Python route heads north east towards Cruden Bay, affording riders fantastic views of the coastline, before crossing the A90 at Hatton towards the first control point at Strichen, where riders were able to refuel at the Lodge.  The route reached its highest point at 63km, before an all-too-brief descent into Cumminestown, where the route turned south and straight into the relentless wind. Even the descent into Fyvie required a push to maintain a respectable pace, and drained legs definitely required refuelling at the Fyvie Castle tearoom. With brevet cards stamped, there was no delay in heading directly for the tearoom and securing a coffee and a suitably calorie dense wedge of carrot cake, before saddling up for the final leg back into Ellon.   Club chairman, Donald Stewart, said, “Overall, the Lumpy Python lived up to its name, and the wind added an element of challenge and ensured every returned home with a sense of achievement. Thanks to Paul’s excellent organisation, and his band of hardy volunteers, we have already received some very positive feedback.”

10 under the Ben: Cruden Bay rider, Andy Scouller, lined up in the endurance mountain bike race – 10 Under the Ben on Saturday 27th April. Held on the marvellous trails around Leanachen Forest at the foot of Ben Nevis, the race program guaranteed a great day’s riding irrespective of the weather.  The aim was to complete as many laps as possible within a 10-hour time limit. The event was open to teams working on a relay basis or to solo riders like Andy.

Andy managed seven laps of the circuit – an epic 54 miles and 6700 ft of climbing, and retired after a marathon seven hours racing, having succumbed to a knee injury sustained in a crash during a mountain bike race weeks earlier. Kudos Andy!

Gary MacDonald of Nevis Cycles Race Team set a new course record for the first rider to achieve 13 laps. After the race he posted that it was his first solo endurance race … and possibly his last.

Ythan CC Confined Time Trial no. 2: A large contingent of riders turned up at the first of the season’s time trial events on Tuesday 30th April, held on a new out-and-back course on the B9000 from Pitmedden to the roundabout near Foveran, and back.     Due to the number of riders, the race was split into two races with 10 women (and juniors) competing in one race, and 20 men competing in the other.     All riders were faced with slightly better conditions than on the first TT of the season, with almost all posting faster times. The times of the three fastest riders were:

• Women
  • Carol Middleton 28:28
  • Jenny Noble 28:44
  • Wendy Gault 31:34
• Men
  • Alan Smith 23:12
  • Lee Smith 23:45
  • Mike Giles 24:42
• Junior
  • Gavin Gronkowski 34:10

Scottish National 10 Mile TT Championship – the Stuart Turvey Memorial: Sunday 5th May saw the National 10 TT Championship being held on an out-and-back course along the A92 between Monifieth and Arbroath.     Ythan riders Carol Middleton, Alan Smith and Mike Giles assembled alongside the other 125 riders registered for the event, which incorporated competitions for juniors, youths, men and women.  After registration at the Monikie Country Park, the riders assembled near the Ethiebeaton roundabout for the start.  In cold conditions the riders headed north-east in the direction of Arbroath, with some impressive times posted for the first five miles. However as soon as the riders crossed the dual carriageway at the Muirdrum junction flyover, they were faced with a stiff headwind for the return.  The testing conditions affected most of the riders’ times, although a number of riders still managed to post impressive finish times (including personal bests) – proof that leg speed developed on the track was key.  The Junior race was won by Daniel Kain of team Squadra Scozzese in a time of 22:04. The Youth race was won by Oscar Onley of team Spokes RT in a time of 21:13.     Carol Middleton finished in 18th place in a time of 26:59. Winner Victoria Smith, team Aerocoach, finished with a time of 21:47.    Alan Smith finished in 44th place with a time of 23:29, with Mike Giles close behind in 63rd place with a time of 24:41. Winner Kyle Gordon of team RT23 finished in a time of 20:09.  

SXC round 3, Beecraigs Country Park Linlithgow: The 2019 SXC Mountain Bike Racing Series is shaping up to be a fantastic series with six great races, at six exceptional locations. Beecraigs Country Park near Linlithgow was the venue for Round 3.  Ythan rider Ewan Gronkowski was the only rider who made the journey south and finished in 5th place in the Male Sport race category.

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