Tom Martin (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli) won the Gifford Road Race on Saturday 16 March, Round 1 of the Scottish Alba Series.
Featured image: Ian Henderson
Report
On a rolling course in East Lothian, Edinburgh RC’s Gifford Road Race got off to to fast start. Several groups attempted to get away in the opening kilometres before Will Taylor (Moonglu RT) and Alex Luhrs made it away on the second of nine laps. The pair worked well together and established a good lead over the peloton.
Taylor and Luhrs make the early move. Image: Ian Henderson
Two laps later, Tom Martin of Wheelbase CabTech Castelli attacked through Gifford village into the cross tail wind section, setting off on an attempt to bridge what was by now a two minute gap to the leading pair.
A solo pursuit ensued. Despite strong headwind sections, Martin’s persistent paid off when he made it across on lap six. By this stage, the leaders’ advantage to the peloton had reached three minutes, making it increasingly likely that the trio would be left to contest the win.
Two become three. Image: Ian Henderson
Martin tried a couple of attacks with around 20 kilometres to go in an effort to jettison his breakaway companions, but Luhrs and Taylor combined to bring him back each time.
However, the pair could not respond to Martin’s powerful acceleration on the final climb to the line, Martin surging clear to hold on for the win. Luhrs too second, with Taylor third.
Martin wins. Image: Ian Henderson
The win continues a strong start to the season for Martin, who was also on the podium at the Clayton Spring Classic. He will be one to watch at next weekend’s Peaks 2 Day.
“The bigger races start in April so I want to be in some good form then,” Martin told The British Continental after the race. “I’d like to win the Rás as I was fifth on GC last year,” he said of his goals this season. “And to win in Europe on the road – I’ll be getting the opportunity to do some racing in Italy and Belgium at some point in the year.”
He is also eager to perform well in the National Road Series and has an eye on the gravel world championships later on the year too, a race in which he finished in 30th place in 2023: “Gravel worlds at the end of the year is also a target. With better preparation I feel I can do a good performance to build on a good result at last year’s worlds.”
Tom Martin (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli) won the Gifford Road Race on Saturday 16 March, Round 1 of the Scottish Alba Series.
Featured image: Ian Henderson
Report
On a rolling course in East Lothian, Edinburgh RC’s Gifford Road Race got off to to fast start. Several groups attempted to get away in the opening kilometres before Will Taylor (Moonglu RT) and Alex Luhrs made it away on the second of nine laps. The pair worked well together and established a good lead over the peloton.
Two laps later, Tom Martin of Wheelbase CabTech Castelli attacked through Gifford village into the cross tail wind section, setting off on an attempt to bridge what was by now a two minute gap to the leading pair.
A solo pursuit ensued. Despite strong headwind sections, Martin’s persistent paid off when he made it across on lap six. By this stage, the leaders’ advantage to the peloton had reached three minutes, making it increasingly likely that the trio would be left to contest the win.
Martin tried a couple of attacks with around 20 kilometres to go in an effort to jettison his breakaway companions, but Luhrs and Taylor combined to bring him back each time.
However, the pair could not respond to Martin’s powerful acceleration on the final climb to the line, Martin surging clear to hold on for the win. Luhrs too second, with Taylor third.
The win continues a strong start to the season for Martin, who was also on the podium at the Clayton Spring Classic. He will be one to watch at next weekend’s Peaks 2 Day.
“The bigger races start in April so I want to be in some good form then,” Martin told The British Continental after the race. “I’d like to win the Rás as I was fifth on GC last year,” he said of his goals this season. “And to win in Europe on the road – I’ll be getting the opportunity to do some racing in Italy and Belgium at some point in the year.”
He is also eager to perform well in the National Road Series and has an eye on the gravel world championships later on the year too, a race in which he finished in 30th place in 2023: “Gravel worlds at the end of the year is also a target. With better preparation I feel I can do a good performance to build on a good result at last year’s worlds.”
Results
Share this:
Discover more from The British Continental
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.