Cycling: Skilling races off with title

Sep 4 2009

MARK SKILLING of Ayr Roads Cycling Club/Harry Fairbairn BMW is the newly crowned district road race champion after a strong and spirited performance at the Wanlockhead road race on Sunday.

With elite riders such as the Endura team making a big presence, the race was quickly whittled down on the first hill pass after Crawfordjohn and became a battle of attrition. With the first breaks racing up the road, Mark held onto the remainder of the peloton up the Mennock Pass and rode strongly on the headwind return while others faltered.

Not only was Mark the first rider home from all the Ayrshire and Dumfriesshire clubs, he was also the only member of the Ayr Roads contingent to finish with the front groups as Alex McAllister, Chris McConnell and David Blockey all came short of matching the elite pace.

All round rider John Gemmell delivered a fantastic third place at the ten hour endurance mountain bike event at Moray. John, riding the event solo for the first time, paced himself well and used his bike handling skills to great effect as he was able to hold his place in the race whilst ensuring he had the stamina to last the distance. The result was a just reward for a season long training regime.

Meanwhile, Alan Brown has officially sewn up victory for the series long time trial crown. With the last event cancelled due to dangerous road conditions, it meant Alan's campaign was at last confirmed, as he averaged 23.23mph over 13 nights. Alan's victory is recognised as being even more impressive considering the lack of good weather conditions. Despite the impressive volume of personal best times recorded in 2009, not one evening could be described as a floater.

On Sunday, Ayr Roads CC were delighted to welcome 15-year-old Ayr Academy pupil Gavin Kerr out on the club run. Gavin was quick to reveal his strength in the hills, and will no doubt be a concern for many more experienced clubmen in the coming months.

Club runs leave Beresford Terrace, Ayr, every Sunday at 9.30am. All welcome.

lAYRSHIRE CTC are running two-outings-in-one as part of the Burns Homecoming celebrations on Sunday. The start point is in Rozelle Park, Ayr, where cyclists head off at 10am for either a 38 mile ride or a 62 mile ride. The shorter trip goes via Tarbolton, Mauchline, Coylton and Dalrymple to Ayr while the longer trip is simply an extension, with a spur down the coast to Maybole and Kirkoswald.

Participants on all the rides will receive medals, copies of the Burns by Bike booklet and other leaflets on Ayrshire cycling.

More information from Drew Moyes on 01290 550276 or www.cycleayrshire.co.uk

The ladies section of the CTC have an outing from Maybole to Ladyburn Estate on Saturday, starting at the railway station at 11am.