Alex Luhrs (Moonglu RT) won the Hugh Dornan Memorial powering clear of Alex Ball (PROJECT 1) on the steep finishing climb to claim Round 3 of the Scottish Alba Road Series.
Featured image: Ian Henderson
Report
The 2024 edition of the Hugh Dornan Memorial road race was ridden in glorious summer-like conditions, a welcome contrast to the grim conditions the riders suffered in Round 2 of the Alba Series last month.
The racing was aggressive from the start, but with the small peloton neutralised most of the early moves. Hugh Lutz-Atkinson (EuroCyclingTrips) broke the early holding pattern with a solo move but it was all change at the end the second of four laps of the beautiful circuit on the Rosneath peninsula. As the peloton hit Whistlefield Hills the punishing climb up to the line, the race split in two, Lutz-Atkinson swept up.
Image: Ian Henderson
Among the front split were Alba Series leader Alex Luhrs (Moonglu RT), Lee Rosie and Aaron King (both Wheelbase CabTech Castelli), Alex Ball and Hamish Armitt (both PROJECT 1), Liam Scott Douglas (JG Cycles) and Junior CiCLE Classic winner Ahron Dick (HUUB BCC RT).
The group combined well before King struck out alone with one a half laps to go. King had etched out a 24 second lead as he took the bell, PROJECT 1 taking on the responsibility to chase King down, as well as controlling counterattacks from Luhrs.
Armitt, in particular, put in a huge turn to haul King back, continuing to drive the pace to bring the leaders to the foot of the final ascent of Whistlefield. Ball then drove the pace up the first part of the climb, showing faith in this climbing ability. It worked, almost. Ball dropped everyone bar Luhrs, who launched his move early, Ball unable to reply. Rosie finished third to round out the podium.
Image: Ian Henderson
The win extends Luhrs’ lead in the Alba Road Series, with the penultimate round coming next weekend at the Straiton Struggle road race.
“I felt good coming into final climb,” Luhrs told The British Continental after the race. “Knowing it had been a grippy day out I kept it in the big ring, kicked early and had the legs into the last 200m to kick again to the line.”
Ball was satisfied with second after a difficult start to the season, interrupted by punctures and crashes. “Luhrs kicked first and I wasn’t able to get round him in the sprint but still happy with 2nd after a not-so-ideal start to the season,” he said after the race. “I’ve had a fair few punctures and crashes so feel like I haven’t been able to perform quite as well as I had hoped. Form is good though and hopefully can carry some momentum into the next few events!”
Alex Luhrs (Moonglu RT) won the Hugh Dornan Memorial powering clear of Alex Ball (PROJECT 1) on the steep finishing climb to claim Round 3 of the Scottish Alba Road Series.
Featured image: Ian Henderson
Report
The 2024 edition of the Hugh Dornan Memorial road race was ridden in glorious summer-like conditions, a welcome contrast to the grim conditions the riders suffered in Round 2 of the Alba Series last month.
The racing was aggressive from the start, but with the small peloton neutralised most of the early moves. Hugh Lutz-Atkinson (EuroCyclingTrips) broke the early holding pattern with a solo move but it was all change at the end the second of four laps of the beautiful circuit on the Rosneath peninsula. As the peloton hit Whistlefield Hills the punishing climb up to the line, the race split in two, Lutz-Atkinson swept up.
Among the front split were Alba Series leader Alex Luhrs (Moonglu RT), Lee Rosie and Aaron King (both Wheelbase CabTech Castelli), Alex Ball and Hamish Armitt (both PROJECT 1), Liam Scott Douglas (JG Cycles) and Junior CiCLE Classic winner Ahron Dick (HUUB BCC RT).
The group combined well before King struck out alone with one a half laps to go. King had etched out a 24 second lead as he took the bell, PROJECT 1 taking on the responsibility to chase King down, as well as controlling counterattacks from Luhrs.
Armitt, in particular, put in a huge turn to haul King back, continuing to drive the pace to bring the leaders to the foot of the final ascent of Whistlefield. Ball then drove the pace up the first part of the climb, showing faith in this climbing ability. It worked, almost. Ball dropped everyone bar Luhrs, who launched his move early, Ball unable to reply. Rosie finished third to round out the podium.
The win extends Luhrs’ lead in the Alba Road Series, with the penultimate round coming next weekend at the Straiton Struggle road race.
“I felt good coming into final climb,” Luhrs told The British Continental after the race. “Knowing it had been a grippy day out I kept it in the big ring, kicked early and had the legs into the last 200m to kick again to the line.”
Ball was satisfied with second after a difficult start to the season, interrupted by punctures and crashes. “Luhrs kicked first and I wasn’t able to get round him in the sprint but still happy with 2nd after a not-so-ideal start to the season,” he said after the race. “I’ve had a fair few punctures and crashes so feel like I haven’t been able to perform quite as well as I had hoped. Form is good though and hopefully can carry some momentum into the next few events!”
Results
Provisional.
Share this:
Discover more from The British Continental
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.