One of the highlights of the Scottish cycling calendar, national champions will be crowned in the Open, Women’s and Junior Women’s categories as the Scottish Road Race Championships take place in Newton Stewart, Dumfries and Galloway this Sunday.
Here is our preview.
Featured image: Kenny Girvan
What is it?
A race to decide the kings and queens of Scottish road racing for the next year. This year’s event is organised by Galloway Hillbillies Bike Club.
The championships promise to be competitive with high quality fields assembled to take on defending champion Tim Shoreman in the open Race, while the women’s edition will see a new champion crowned with Eilidh Shaw absent; the iconic jersey awaiting the victors.
The open race begins at 9.30, while the combined women’s senior and junior race starts at 15.30.
The route
The race centres around the lengthy 24.7km Loch Ochiltree loop, the Open race tackling almost five complete laps for a race distance of 122.3km in the morning, while the Women will cover 95.3 km in as they take on almost four complete laps of the course later in the afternoon.
The loop is undulating, its undoubted highlight the long climb up Ochiltree Hill. Coming halfway through the lap, at 4.8km it is lengthy by British standards, although with the average gradient at only 2.5% it is a test of power and endurance rather than a playground for the pure climbers. Steepest at the bottom with gradients over 6%, it does offer the opportunity for the puncheurs to make the difference, should they attack.
With a mixture of main roads and unclassified countryside lanes, fast flat roads and technical sections, the loop offers something for all riders; the championships wide open with a host of different scenarios and potential winners waiting to play out.
Riders to watch
Open race
Defending champion Tim Shoreman (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli) headlines the 53 rider field, the Aberdeenshire rider returning to racing last Sunday at the Lancaster Grand Prix after missing most of the National Circuit Series, opting not to travel. Despite racing a light schedule in 2024, he has shown flashes of brilliance including a fine 2nd place on the East Cleveland Classic and 4th behind the Groupama-FDJ juggernaut at the National Circuit Race Championships. With his form unknown, Shoreman suffered on the steep slopes around Lancaster as the race neared its climax last weekend, although Ochiltree Hill is a climb that will suit the fast finisher much more.
2023 All About Desserts Newark Mens Grand Prix, Men’s National Circuit Series – Tim Shoreman of Wheelbase CabTech Castelli. Image: Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com
Shoreman has a strong team to support him, including 20-year-old Jacob Smith, who started the season in scintillating form with a stage win at the Peaks 2 Day and 10th at the East Cleveland Classic. Aaron King took a bronze medal from the Championships a year ago, perhaps his biggest result to date, with the team completed by veteran David Lines, who brings a wealth of experience to the young team.
Away from Wheelbase, who have won the past three editions, the race contains a number of riders with the potential of wrestling the jersey from them.
National Cycling Centre, Manchester, England – Elliot Rowe. Image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
Elliot Rowe (Fensham Howes MAS Design) is one of the most promising junior riders in the country, the Visma-Lease A Bike Development Team having secured his services for the next two years. His palmares is littered with a number of top tens in a variety of big races across Europe, including 6th in Liège-Bastogne-Liège Juniors. He has a definite chance of adding a Scottish title to it on Sunday.
Alex Ball (Project1) took the honours in one of Scotland’s biggest National B races, the Straiton Struggle, announcing his arrival by beating the in-form Alex Luhrs. Former teammate and silver medallist from 2022 Logan Maclean is now in the colours of Spirit TBW Stuart Hall Cycling, making his debut with the team with 14th in the 1.2 GP de Pérenchies in France across the cobblestones. After a low key showing at the Lancaster GP, the climb should suit the puncheur.
Alex Ball. Image: Kenny Girvan
Finn Mason (Saint Piran) has a good record in championship races, taking out the Junior National Road Race title last year. Other riders to watch include Hamish Strachan (Torres-Fernando Barcelo), the Spanish-based rider making the journey home during a tough season, Conor McKinnon (Dolan Ellesse RT), who was 5th in a strong Drummond Trophy field, Cameron Muir (GTR – Return To Life), who was 3rd at the Straiton Struggle and 6th at Drummond, and Liam Scott Douglas (JG Cycles CC), who was in the top five a both the Hugh Dornan Memorial and the Straiton Struggle.
The Vanelli-Project Go squad may lack an out and out favourite, but with 14 of the 53 riders on the startlist, they are almost certain to have an impact on the race. Can they use their numbers wisely?
Women’s race (senior and junior)
With only 23 riders set to be on the startline, 8 of which are juniors, almost all the competitors will believe they have a chance of taking something from the race.
2024 CANYON Guildford Town Centre Races – Guildford, Surrey, England – Women’s Grand Prix – Beth Morrow of Alba Development Road Team. Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Lauren Dickson (Edinburgh RC) was the surprise package at the Lancaster Grand Prix, the triathlete stunning the UCI teams with a strong ride and attitude to match on the way to second place. Although she will be closely marked throughout, on that form she will be hard to stop.
2024 Lloyds Bank National Road Series – Lancaster Grand Prix 2024, Women’s Race – Podium – Lauren Dickson of Edinburgh RC finishes second. Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Anna Flynn (Spectra Racing) is another rider with limited road racing experience having been more at home on the mud of cyclocross and harsh terrain of mountain biking. However, she rode an aggressive race at the Lancaster Grand Prix and will take confidence from that knowing here a move may well stick.
Jenny Holl (Loughborough Lightning) is more at home on the track and around a circuit race instead of an undulating road race nearing 100km, however her confidence will be high after a fine second place at the Sheffield Grand Prix.
2024 Lloyds Bank National Circuit Series – Ilkley Cycle Races – Ilkley Car Audio Women’s Grand Prix – Ilkley, England – Jenny Holl of Loughborough Lightning. Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Among the junior riders, 16-year-old Arabella Blackburn (Shibden-Apex) has the ability to win the senior title, the first year junior notching up some impressive results both at home and abroad this season.
One of the highlights of the Scottish cycling calendar, national champions will be crowned in the Open, Women’s and Junior Women’s categories as the Scottish Road Race Championships take place in Newton Stewart, Dumfries and Galloway this Sunday.
Here is our preview.
Featured image: Kenny Girvan
What is it?
A race to decide the kings and queens of Scottish road racing for the next year. This year’s event is organised by Galloway Hillbillies Bike Club.
The championships promise to be competitive with high quality fields assembled to take on defending champion Tim Shoreman in the open Race, while the women’s edition will see a new champion crowned with Eilidh Shaw absent; the iconic jersey awaiting the victors.
The open race begins at 9.30, while the combined women’s senior and junior race starts at 15.30.
The route
The race centres around the lengthy 24.7km Loch Ochiltree loop, the Open race tackling almost five complete laps for a race distance of 122.3km in the morning, while the Women will cover 95.3 km in as they take on almost four complete laps of the course later in the afternoon.
The loop is undulating, its undoubted highlight the long climb up Ochiltree Hill. Coming halfway through the lap, at 4.8km it is lengthy by British standards, although with the average gradient at only 2.5% it is a test of power and endurance rather than a playground for the pure climbers. Steepest at the bottom with gradients over 6%, it does offer the opportunity for the puncheurs to make the difference, should they attack.
With a mixture of main roads and unclassified countryside lanes, fast flat roads and technical sections, the loop offers something for all riders; the championships wide open with a host of different scenarios and potential winners waiting to play out.
Riders to watch
Open race
Defending champion Tim Shoreman (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli) headlines the 53 rider field, the Aberdeenshire rider returning to racing last Sunday at the Lancaster Grand Prix after missing most of the National Circuit Series, opting not to travel. Despite racing a light schedule in 2024, he has shown flashes of brilliance including a fine 2nd place on the East Cleveland Classic and 4th behind the Groupama-FDJ juggernaut at the National Circuit Race Championships. With his form unknown, Shoreman suffered on the steep slopes around Lancaster as the race neared its climax last weekend, although Ochiltree Hill is a climb that will suit the fast finisher much more.
Shoreman has a strong team to support him, including 20-year-old Jacob Smith, who started the season in scintillating form with a stage win at the Peaks 2 Day and 10th at the East Cleveland Classic. Aaron King took a bronze medal from the Championships a year ago, perhaps his biggest result to date, with the team completed by veteran David Lines, who brings a wealth of experience to the young team.
Away from Wheelbase, who have won the past three editions, the race contains a number of riders with the potential of wrestling the jersey from them.
Elliot Rowe (Fensham Howes MAS Design) is one of the most promising junior riders in the country, the Visma-Lease A Bike Development Team having secured his services for the next two years. His palmares is littered with a number of top tens in a variety of big races across Europe, including 6th in Liège-Bastogne-Liège Juniors. He has a definite chance of adding a Scottish title to it on Sunday.
Alex Ball (Project1) took the honours in one of Scotland’s biggest National B races, the Straiton Struggle, announcing his arrival by beating the in-form Alex Luhrs. Former teammate and silver medallist from 2022 Logan Maclean is now in the colours of Spirit TBW Stuart Hall Cycling, making his debut with the team with 14th in the 1.2 GP de Pérenchies in France across the cobblestones. After a low key showing at the Lancaster GP, the climb should suit the puncheur.
Finn Mason (Saint Piran) has a good record in championship races, taking out the Junior National Road Race title last year. Other riders to watch include Hamish Strachan (Torres-Fernando Barcelo), the Spanish-based rider making the journey home during a tough season, Conor McKinnon (Dolan Ellesse RT), who was 5th in a strong Drummond Trophy field, Cameron Muir (GTR – Return To Life), who was 3rd at the Straiton Struggle and 6th at Drummond, and Liam Scott Douglas (JG Cycles CC), who was in the top five a both the Hugh Dornan Memorial and the Straiton Struggle.
The Vanelli-Project Go squad may lack an out and out favourite, but with 14 of the 53 riders on the startlist, they are almost certain to have an impact on the race. Can they use their numbers wisely?
Women’s race (senior and junior)
With only 23 riders set to be on the startline, 8 of which are juniors, almost all the competitors will believe they have a chance of taking something from the race.
The Alba Development Road Team, enjoying a brilliant season thus far, head the field with five riders. Beth Morrow displayed her ability with a fine fourth place in the Guildford Town Centre Races, with Lulu Bartlett impressing earlier in the year with 7th in the Oakenclough Road Race.
Lauren Dickson (Edinburgh RC) was the surprise package at the Lancaster Grand Prix, the triathlete stunning the UCI teams with a strong ride and attitude to match on the way to second place. Although she will be closely marked throughout, on that form she will be hard to stop.
Anna Flynn (Spectra Racing) is another rider with limited road racing experience having been more at home on the mud of cyclocross and harsh terrain of mountain biking. However, she rode an aggressive race at the Lancaster Grand Prix and will take confidence from that knowing here a move may well stick.
Jenny Holl (Loughborough Lightning) is more at home on the track and around a circuit race instead of an undulating road race nearing 100km, however her confidence will be high after a fine second place at the Sheffield Grand Prix.
Among the junior riders, 16-year-old Arabella Blackburn (Shibden-Apex) has the ability to win the senior title, the first year junior notching up some impressive results both at home and abroad this season.
Provisional startlists
Open race
Finn McHenryU23The Cycling Academy128Women’s race (senior and junior)
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