Previews

2024 Hugh Dornan Memorial road race: preview and startlist

Preview and startlist for the 2024 Hugh Dornan Memorial, Sunday 19 May

Billed as a race for climbers, the Hugh Dornan Memorial takes place this Sunday, forming round three of the Scottish Alba Series.

Featured image: Ian Henderson

What is it?

Organised by Lomond Road Cycling Club, this long-standing event is part of the Scottish Alba Series. With a reputation as a race for climbers, the event is held in honour of Hugh Dornan who was a highly esteemed member of the club.

Last year’s race winner was James Jobber, with Callum Thornley, Zeb Kyffin and John Archibald also on the list of recent victors.

The Series so far

Tom Martin (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli) won round 1 of the Scottish Alba Series at the Gifford Road Race in March, while Alex Luhrs (then Leadout Performance, now Moonglu RT) won out in round 2 at the Drummond Trophy.

Luhrs’ recent transfer to Moonglu RT means the team have the top two in the series standings, with his teammate William Taylor, third in both rounds so far, sitting second.

RankNameTeamPts
1Alex LuhrsMoonglu Race Team65
2William TaylorMoonglu Race Team50
3Tom MartinWheelbase CabTech Castelli35
4John ArchibaldHUUB WattShop30
5Ciaran McSherry05-0329
6Sean DodsworthArmy Cycling Union23
7Oliver DawsonWolf Cycles22
8Conor McKinnonDolan Ellesse Race Team21
9Murray SoutterTorvelo Racing21
10Cameron MuirWallacehill CC19
Scottish Alba Series standings after Round 2

Route

The race takes in four laps of a circuit around the stunning Rosneath Peninsula in Argyll and Bute. It is a demanding and undulating course, 120km in length, and featuring over 1,500m of climbing.

The race concludes atop the fifth ascent of Whistefield Hill, a 1.4km climb that features some punishingly steep sections.

Riders to watch

The standout name on the provisional startlist is undoubtedly Scottish Alba Series leader Alex Luhrs. Luhrs has been excellent form this year and knows this race well, having finished second here in 2019. He is, however, riding the Aughton road race the day before, so tired legs might be Luhrs’ biggest obstacle.

Others to watch include Alexander Ball (Project 1 CT), who was tenth at the Yorkshire Under-23 Classic after a solid block of racing in France and Italy. Wheelbase CabTech Castelli rider Aaron King was another rider who impressed at the Yorkshire race, finishing 9th.

Junior Ahron Dick (HUUB BCC RT) won the Junior CiCLE Classic this year and has impressed in France since then with 5th overall at the La Route d’Éole Juniors. Murray Souter (Torvelo) was 5th at the Gifford road race and will be aiming to improve on his 9th place in the Scottish Alba Series standings.

Provisional startlist

RiderAgeTeamPts
Alasdair BaillieJuniorVelocity 44 RT0
Elliot BainU23Vanelli-Project Go0
 Alexander BallU23PROJECT 1 Cycling Team17
 Sam BarbourSeniorRibble rechrg Race Team0
 Kevin BarclaySeniordooleys cycles0
 Greig BrownSeniorVanelli-Project Go17
 Joseph CosgroveJuniorFensham Howes – MAS Design0
 Conal DavidsonU23Vanelli-Project Go2
 Alan DeanSeniorEdinburgh RC0
 Ahron DickJuniorThe Cycling Academy0
 Samuel EdgarJuniorRibble rechrg Race Team0
 Aaron KingU23Wheelbase CabTech Castelli29
 Alex LuhrsSeniorMoonglu Race Team143
 Hugo Lutz-AtkinsonU23EuroCyclingTrips0
 Hamish MacLarenU23Private Member15
 Logan MacleanU23PROJECT 1 Cycling Team12
 Alasdair McAlpineSeniorGlasgow United CC5
 Alastair McNicolSeniordooleys cycles17
 Christopher MellorSeniorICRT0
 Callum ReidU23The Cycling Academy13
 Fergus RobinsonU23Ribble Rebellion20
 Liam Scott DouglasSeniorJG Cycles CC1
 Callum SharpSeniorVeloclub Edinburgh3
 Robert SmartJuniorSpokes Racing Team0
 Murray SouterSeniorTorvelo Racing35
 Rhys EdwardsJuniortrainSharp Development Team0
 Robert GunsonU23Johnstone Wheelers Cycling Club0
 Jack Pattison-MooreSeniorVenture Racing0
 Josh QuigleySeniorPrivate Member0
 Oliver NewtonSeniortrainSharp Development Team0

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