National youth cycling competition concludes in Ellon
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The sounds of cow bells and cheering crowds filled the streets of Ellon on Sunday as the cream of the country's youth cyclists descended on the town to take part in the final round of the Scottish Cycling National Youth Road Series.
Warm sun and a light breeze welcomed the riders, who ranged in age from four to 16.
Held on a 700 metre closed road circuit around Ellon town centre, the riders had some climbing, and one particularly notorious corner to deal with.
Fortunately, they all negotiated the course with bike-handling skills, tenacity and stamina to rival those of Lizzie Deignan and Geraint Thomas.
The race programme consisted of Under 8, Under 10, Under 12 and separate boys and girls Under 14/Under 16 races, with the latter contests deciding the final standings of the Scottish National Youth series.
The race, which formed part of the Rotary Club of Ellon’s pedal car fun day, was organised by Catherine Smart, who also coaches youths in Ythan Cycle Club.
She said: “After a three-year absence due to the pandemic, it was delightful to see so many riders from far and wide return to this very special town centre race.
"As a club we were especially pleased to see so many younger riders, with many enjoying their first race experience in the north-east sunshine.
“The Ellon race was the finale of a national series for the older Under 14/Under 16 riders at venues across Scotland this summer, and our thanks go to Hamish Cowton of Scottish Cycling for his assistance before and on the day, and to Lynne Brooks of the Archie Foundation for the generous donation of prizes.
"I’d also like to pay tribute to the tireless efforts of the members of Ellon Rotary Club, Ythan CC and Ythan QL coaches and parents in making this event such a special occasion.”
Details of the races and podium places are as follows:
Under 8s (10mins + 1 lap)
A large contingent of Ythan riders lined up for the opening race of the day, a 10-minute contest plus 1 lap on the 700m closed road circuit around Ellon town centre. All Ythan riders showed great skill and effort, with Verity Mackenzie claiming her first podium place in a road race. She took third place in the girls’ race.
Special mention must go to the youngest rider of the day – Abbie Cooper. The four-year-old from Tarves lined up at the start line in the busiest race of the day – the under 8s – and completed the entire race, much to the pride of her granny, Ythan CC stalwart, Carol Middleton.
Ythan riders Oswin Hull-Bailey, William Hicks, Arthur Wood and Cody Bowie finished in fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth places respectively in the boys' race. Mhairi Sutherland, Lucy Whyment, Anny King, Emily Moran and Abbie Copper finished in fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth places respectively in the girls’ race. More importantly they all did it with smiles on their faces.
Girls – 1 Zoe Martin, 2 Iona MacPherson, 3 Verity MacKenzie (Ythan CC).
Boys – 1 Casper Blackburn, 2 Asher Noble, 3 Euan Boothman.
Under 10s (15 mins + 1 lap)
Ythan riders Isabella Smith and Ines Hull-Bailey claimed fourth and fifth places in the girls’ race, with Matthew Moran earning his podium place by finishing second in the boys race. Liam Craig, Murray Rae and Tiago Gourlay finished in 14th, 15th and 16th places respectively in the boys’ race.
Girls – 1 Emma Nicholson, 2 Eden Thomson, 3 Boo Williams.
Boys – 1 Ruaraidh Macpherson, 2 Matthew Moran (Ythan CC), 3 Rory Fotheringham.
Under 12s (15 mins + 1 lap)
Ythanite Amy Stewart had a strong ride and was in third place for a large part of the race. She was narrowly pipped at the end, and crossed the line in fourth place in the girls’ race, with club-mate Nathaniel Carlsson-Bell in ninth place for the boys race.
Girls – 1 Zara Main, 2 Eden Thomson, 3 Lucy Sweeney.
Boys – 1 Micah Miles, 2 Sebastian Blackburn, 3 Griff Aitken.
Under 14s (45 mins + 1 lap)
Euan Murphy claimed an excellent fifth place in the boys’ race, missing out on fourth by 0.1 of a second.
Girls – 1 Melanie Rowe, 2 Eve Fairburn, 3 Naimh Waters.
Boys – 1 Elliot Speedie, 2 Innes Long, 3 Oliver Bain.
Under 16s (45 mins +1 lap)
Girls – 1 Arabella Blackburn, 2 Millie Thomson, 3 Molly Evans.
Boys – 1 Ahron Dick, 2 Oliver Walker, 3 Robert Smart.
The Youth Series final standings are as follows:
Youth A (U16)
Girls – 1 Molly Evans (DTCC), 2 Isla McCutcheon (Johnston Wheelers), 3 Erin Boothman (East Kilbride).
Boys – 1 Ahron Dick (Edinburgh RC), 2 Adam Murray (East Kilbride), 3 James Sweeney (Edinburgh RC).
Youth B (U14)
Girls – 1 Melanie Rowe (DTCC), 2 Hope Thomson (DTCC), 3 Eve Fairburn (Discovery Junior CC).
Boys – 1 Elliot Speedie (Edinburgh RC), 2 Innes Long (DTCC), 3 Oliver Bain (DTCC).
In the 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
The team – comprising captain Carol Middleton, and drivers Morag Thomson, Ruth Pittendrigh, Jenny Noble and Winny Gronkowski – did a sterling job, braving the water pistols and finishing in a very respectable 12th place.
