BATTLE OF BALLOCH CASTLE CYCLOCROSS
15th October 2017
scx1 Calender Park, Falkirk
Wow......that was fast. Carrying on with the fast and dry conditions this season, the SCX series opener was a corker. With record breaking fields yet again 600ish riders rolled up to the now classic Scottish course and some proper racing got under way. There were a few surprises in the Senior/Open race as young guns stepped up a level and ruffled the feathers of previous champions, recently promoted V50 took the honours, and old rivalries recomenced for 2016/17 in the Vet40.
As always the Vet40 was where the GUCC challenge was strongest. A strong start as usual from Mr Jackson strung out the field before fading slightly but he still finished on the podium. Mr Forhaug was consistently strong throughout and joined Gary McRae and Jackson on the castle steps for the top three. James Melville started very well in the first 4 or 5 laps but struggled once Gary made his move, he still finished a creditable 8th out of a ridiculous 160 odd riders in the biggest field of the day. Dave Smeaton and Mark McGivern both rode well, turning in respectable and consistent lap times and for the first time ever Mr McGivern finished in the top half of the field!
A poor start in the Senior/open race ultimately put paid to any hopes Steve Couper had of finishing in the top ten, with a crowded field to work through in the first 2 laps he made up quite a few places throughout but could only manage 18th. It wasn't all bad though, with some clear ground in front eventually his last few laps (last in particular) were his fastest and only a handful of seconds slower than many of the top ten riders. A decent gridding for future races should help and 18th in this race should get him closer to the front for the start of Knockburn on the 23rd October.
CHECK OUT "Trumpton" FOOTAGE FROM THE EVENT, CLICK THE YOUTUBE ICON TOP LEFT OF THE SCREEN.
Full results can be found at http://www.mylaps.com/en/events/1340247