Hot on the heels of the Hugh Dornan Memorial last weekend, which formed Round 3 of the Scottish Alba Road Series, comes the Straiton Struggle road race, which is Round 4 of the Series.
Organised by Ayr Roads CC, the Straiton Struggle is a long-running National B road race that takes place in South Ayrshire. The race forms the fourth round of the 2024 Scottish Alba Road Race Series. Craig Paterson won last year’s edition. There is also a Straiton Struggle women’s race (Regional A), the opening round of the Scottish Scotia Road Race Series.
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) doubled up to win round 2 at the Drummond Trophy and round 3 at the Hugh Dornan Memorial.
Luhrs has a commanding lead in the Series and could extend it further on Saturday. His nearest challenger at the race is PROJECT 1’s Alexander Ball.
Rank
Name
Club
Points
1
Alex Luhrs
Moonglu Race Team
100
2
William Taylor
Moonglu Race Team
50
3
Tom Martin
Wheelbase CabTech Castelli
35
4
Alexander Ball
PROJECT 1 Cycling Team
30
5
John Archibald
HUUB WattShop
30
6
Ciaran McSherry
05-03
29
7
Oliver Dawson
trainSharp Development Team
29
8
Alastair McNicol
dooleys cycles
26
9
Lee Rosie
Wheelbase CabTech Castelli
25
10
Greig Brown
Vanelli-Project Go
24
Route
Taking place on the roads of South Ayrshire, the race covers a 15-kilometre loop around the outskirts of the picturesque villages of Straiton and Kirkmichael and through the centre of the ancient village of Crosshill. According to organiser Tony Garrett, “It’s a challenging circuit with some fast technical descents, climbs that are just that bit steeper than you think that sap the legs almost as much as the ‘grippy’ Scottish surfaces.”
The open race is run over 8 laps of the circuit (the women’s race is 5 laps). With 194 metres of elevation per lap, the race incorporates just over 1500 metres of climbing in total.
The main challenge of the circuit is the Blairquhan climb, a drag of over three kilometres with pitches of around 8% in places. Local rider Alexander McRae, who takes part in the race, holds the Strava KOM. The finish line is at the top of this climb on the final lap.
Timings
The open race is scheduled for a 14.30 start, with the women’s race beginning at 10.30.
Rides to watch
Alex Luhrs (Moonglu RT) is the outstanding favourite having won the last two rounds of the Series, including last weekend’s Hugh Dornan Memorial. Alexander Ball (PROJECT 1) came close to beating Luhrs last week so will no doubt be hoping to go one better this time around, supported by his teammate Hamish Armitt.
Callum Reid, Liam Scott Douglas and Alex Luhrs at the 2024 Hugh Dornan Memorial. Image: The Press Room
Liam Scott Douglas (JG Cycles) impressed last weekend with fifth, so is clearly in good shape. Alastair McNicol (dooleys cycles) and Greig Brown (Vanelli-Project Go) were other riders to feature prominently last weekend so will be ones to watch this time around.
Hot on the heels of the Hugh Dornan Memorial last weekend, which formed Round 3 of the Scottish Alba Road Series, comes the Straiton Struggle road race, which is Round 4 of the Series.
Read on for our preview and startlist.
Featured image: The Press Room
What is it?
Organised by Ayr Roads CC, the Straiton Struggle is a long-running National B road race that takes place in South Ayrshire. The race forms the fourth round of the 2024 Scottish Alba Road Race Series. Craig Paterson won last year’s edition. There is also a Straiton Struggle women’s race (Regional A), the opening round of the Scottish Scotia Road Race Series.
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) doubled up to win round 2 at the Drummond Trophy and round 3 at the Hugh Dornan Memorial.
Luhrs has a commanding lead in the Series and could extend it further on Saturday. His nearest challenger at the race is PROJECT 1’s Alexander Ball.
Route
Taking place on the roads of South Ayrshire, the race covers a 15-kilometre loop around the outskirts of the picturesque villages of Straiton and Kirkmichael and through the centre of the ancient village of Crosshill. According to organiser Tony Garrett, “It’s a challenging circuit with some fast technical descents, climbs that are just that bit steeper than you think that sap the legs almost as much as the ‘grippy’ Scottish surfaces.”
The open race is run over 8 laps of the circuit (the women’s race is 5 laps). With 194 metres of elevation per lap, the race incorporates just over 1500 metres of climbing in total.
The main challenge of the circuit is the Blairquhan climb, a drag of over three kilometres with pitches of around 8% in places. Local rider Alexander McRae, who takes part in the race, holds the Strava KOM. The finish line is at the top of this climb on the final lap.
Timings
The open race is scheduled for a 14.30 start, with the women’s race beginning at 10.30.
Rides to watch
Alex Luhrs (Moonglu RT) is the outstanding favourite having won the last two rounds of the Series, including last weekend’s Hugh Dornan Memorial. Alexander Ball (PROJECT 1) came close to beating Luhrs last week so will no doubt be hoping to go one better this time around, supported by his teammate Hamish Armitt.
Liam Scott Douglas (JG Cycles) impressed last weekend with fifth, so is clearly in good shape. Alastair McNicol (dooleys cycles) and Greig Brown (Vanelli-Project Go) were other riders to feature prominently last weekend so will be ones to watch this time around.
Provisional startlist
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