2025 Andrew Matheson Memorial: preview and startlist
Eighty-one miles of East Lothian tarmac will host Saturday’s inaugural Andrew Matheson Memorial Trophy Road Race (24 May), a National B tribute to Musselburgh legend and 1990 Commonwealth Games rider Andy “Matho” Matheson. Six laps, a handcrafted trophy and Round 2 status in the Alba Road Series ensure the winner’s name will be etched into Scottish cycling folklore from day one.
Eighty-one miles of East Lothian tarmac will host Saturday’s inaugural Andrew Matheson Memorial Trophy Road Race (24 May), a National B tribute to Musselburgh legend and 1990 Commonwealth Games rider Andy “Matho” Matheson. Six laps, a handcrafted trophy and Round 2 status in the Alba Road Series ensure the winner’s name will be etched into Scottish cycling folklore from day one.
Here is our preview.
Featured image: Kenny Girvan
What is it?
The Andrew Matheson Memorial Trophy Road Race is a brand-new, 130 km National B event that pays tribute to the late Andy “Matho” Matheson – lifelong Musselburgh Roads CC stalwart, Commonwealth Games rider for Team Scotland in 1990 and all-round East Lothian legend. Run by his home club MRCC, the race inherits the slot and community support of the old British Eagle Road Race but adds a commemorative twist: the winner will lift a handcrafted memorial trophy carrying Andy’s name.
Saturday’s race is Round 2 of the six-race Alba Road Series, where Logan Maclean leads the overall standings after the opening round at the Gifford Road Race.
Route
The race uses a 21.6 km clockwise circuit that threads together the quiet B-roads of Humbie and the Saltouns, a lap Andy Matheson trained on countless times. After a neutral roll-out from Humbie Village Hall, the flag drops on the B6368 about a kilometre east of the village. From here the peloton heads north-east on wide, exposed tarmac past Bolton Muir Wood—an early cross-wind sorting-hat—before swinging hard left onto the B6355 toward East Saltoun.
The B6355/B6371 triangle is the meat of the course: a rolling run through East Saltoun’s narrow main street and across the tiny bridge to West Saltoun funnels the bunch onto a more sinuous back-road past Templehall and Peastonbank. Another left flick delivers the riders onto the B6371 and straight into the route’s marquee feature – a 1.3 km rise that averages roughly 4-6 % and tops out just before Humbie Wood. This climb hosts the hill primes on laps 1-3 and doubles as the feed zone on laps 4-5, so it will be buzzing with soigneurs and spectators all afternoon.
Crest the prime line and it’s a fast, sweeping descent back into Humbie where the lap closes – five times you bear left to start again, but on lap 6 the race runs straight on toward the finish outside Crossroads School, about 800 m beyond the Peaston turn-off on the B6371. Six tours add up to approximately 81 miles (130 km) with a shade over 1,000 m of climbing – enough elevation to sting the legs but not so much that the rouleurs will shy away. Expect the climb, the cross-winds on the B6368, and the technical left-handers at Bolton Muir and Templehall to be the decisive pinch-points each lap.
Riders to watch
Alex Ball (BCC RT) – Ball is a marquee contender with a string of standout performances this season. The 23-year-old Scot was narrowly beaten in a photo finish at the Gifford Road Race in March, the opening round of the Scottish Alba Series. He has been a constant podium threat this season, racking up top-ten finishes in major domestic events like the Capernwray and Danum Trophy road races, as well as the East Cleveland Classic. Ball’s palmarès already includes a 4th place in last year’s Beaumont Trophy and previous National B wins in Scotland, underlining his ability to both survive hard courses and sprint from select groups.
The Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix 2025 – Alexander Ball (BCC Race Team). Image:
Evan Marsh (BCC RT) – Still a junior (only 17), Marsh has been a revelation this season and could be the race’s dark horse. He stunned the Scottish cycling community by taking 4th place in the elite Scottish National Road Race Championship in early May, going wheel-to-wheel with riders twice his age. Earlier in the spring, Marsh also held his own in the Gifford Road Race, claiming 6th in that Alba Road Series opener. Marsh combines youthful fearlessness with a rapidly developing engine.
James Jobber (The Hurricane & Thunder Cycling Team) – Jobber brings a wealth of experience and international pedigree to the start line. The 31-year-old has ridden for Continental teams (including Global 6 and Kuwait Pro Cycling) and famously finished 8th overall in the Tour of Taiwan in 2022. He was 4th place at the Gifford Road Race in March, where he was one of the few who could follow the winning moves. A versatile all-rounder, expect him to be prominent figure if he is in form.
Ciaran McSherry (Defined Cycling Team) – McSherry has emerged as one of Scotland’s breakthrough riders this year. A consistent top finisher, he placed 5th in both the Gifford Road Race and the Scottish National Championship road race – a clear indicator of his form and consistency against high-calibre competition. The 23-year-old rides for the new Defined team and appears to be thriving in a leader’s role. McSherry is a well-rounded racer: solid on the climbs and capable of sprinting from small groups.
Ahron Dick (Equipo Finisher) – Fresh off an illustrious junior career, 18-year-old Dick returns to home roads as one of Scotland’s most exciting young talents. Last season he burst onto the scene by winning the Junior CiCLE Classic in a thrilling two-up sprint, and he capped 2024 with a podium at the Junior Tour of Wales. Now part of a Spanish development squad (Equipo Finisher, feeder to Kern Pharma), the Glasgow-born rider has been honing his craft in Europe. Known for his aggressive racing and time-trial prowess on the track, Dick will be keen to make a mark here.
Ahron Dick (Equipo Finisher). Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
William Taylor (Moonglu SpatzWear) – Borders-born and only 22, Taylor has been turning steady promise into tangible results this spring. He rode to 2nd place on stage 3 of the Peaks Two-Day and finished 8th overall, proving he can endure long, hilly races against Britain’s best. A month later he cracked the top-20 of the East Cleveland Classic (16th). Those rides build on a 2024 campaign that saw him collect podiums at the Gifford Road Race and Drummond Trophy. A diesel climber who time-trials well, he’s a genuine podium threat.
Jonny Britton (Moonglu SpatzWear) – Britton adds depth to the Moonglu challenge as a seasoned 27-year-old who knows how to win. He had a quieter start to 2025, but highlight his rising form with 5th last weekend at the Wheldrake 200. Last season Britton demonstrated his quality by winning the three-stage Clive Tiley Memorial race overall, a result that underlines his tactical nous and endurance. A Yorkshire-based rider, Britton is an adept rouleur who can handle rolling terrain and windy conditions – assets that will be useful on the exposed stretches of the Humbie course.
Liam Scott Douglas (JG Cycles) – Local fans will know Liam as a fast-finisher with a track engine, now translating that speed to road success. In late April, Scott Douglas proved his endurance by taking 10th in the Scottish Road Race Championships, showcasing his ability to survive a selective race and still have something left in the tank. He came close to the podium in the Alba Road Series last season, collecting 4th at the Straiton Struggle and 5th at the Hugh Dornan. If he’s there in the finale, his punchy sprint could snatch a surprise result against the bigger names.
Eighty-one miles of East Lothian tarmac will host Saturday’s inaugural Andrew Matheson Memorial Trophy Road Race (24 May), a National B tribute to Musselburgh legend and 1990 Commonwealth Games rider Andy “Matho” Matheson. Six laps, a handcrafted trophy and Round 2 status in the Alba Road Series ensure the winner’s name will be etched into Scottish cycling folklore from day one.
Here is our preview.
Featured image: Kenny Girvan
What is it?
The Andrew Matheson Memorial Trophy Road Race is a brand-new, 130 km National B event that pays tribute to the late Andy “Matho” Matheson – lifelong Musselburgh Roads CC stalwart, Commonwealth Games rider for Team Scotland in 1990 and all-round East Lothian legend. Run by his home club MRCC, the race inherits the slot and community support of the old British Eagle Road Race but adds a commemorative twist: the winner will lift a handcrafted memorial trophy carrying Andy’s name.
Saturday’s race is Round 2 of the six-race Alba Road Series, where Logan Maclean leads the overall standings after the opening round at the Gifford Road Race.
Route
The race uses a 21.6 km clockwise circuit that threads together the quiet B-roads of Humbie and the Saltouns, a lap Andy Matheson trained on countless times. After a neutral roll-out from Humbie Village Hall, the flag drops on the B6368 about a kilometre east of the village. From here the peloton heads north-east on wide, exposed tarmac past Bolton Muir Wood—an early cross-wind sorting-hat—before swinging hard left onto the B6355 toward East Saltoun.
The B6355/B6371 triangle is the meat of the course: a rolling run through East Saltoun’s narrow main street and across the tiny bridge to West Saltoun funnels the bunch onto a more sinuous back-road past Templehall and Peastonbank. Another left flick delivers the riders onto the B6371 and straight into the route’s marquee feature – a 1.3 km rise that averages roughly 4-6 % and tops out just before Humbie Wood. This climb hosts the hill primes on laps 1-3 and doubles as the feed zone on laps 4-5, so it will be buzzing with soigneurs and spectators all afternoon.
Crest the prime line and it’s a fast, sweeping descent back into Humbie where the lap closes – five times you bear left to start again, but on lap 6 the race runs straight on toward the finish outside Crossroads School, about 800 m beyond the Peaston turn-off on the B6371. Six tours add up to approximately 81 miles (130 km) with a shade over 1,000 m of climbing – enough elevation to sting the legs but not so much that the rouleurs will shy away. Expect the climb, the cross-winds on the B6368, and the technical left-handers at Bolton Muir and Templehall to be the decisive pinch-points each lap.
Riders to watch
Alex Ball (BCC RT) – Ball is a marquee contender with a string of standout performances this season. The 23-year-old Scot was narrowly beaten in a photo finish at the Gifford Road Race in March, the opening round of the Scottish Alba Series. He has been a constant podium threat this season, racking up top-ten finishes in major domestic events like the Capernwray and Danum Trophy road races, as well as the East Cleveland Classic. Ball’s palmarès already includes a 4th place in last year’s Beaumont Trophy and previous National B wins in Scotland, underlining his ability to both survive hard courses and sprint from select groups.
Evan Marsh (BCC RT) – Still a junior (only 17), Marsh has been a revelation this season and could be the race’s dark horse. He stunned the Scottish cycling community by taking 4th place in the elite Scottish National Road Race Championship in early May, going wheel-to-wheel with riders twice his age. Earlier in the spring, Marsh also held his own in the Gifford Road Race, claiming 6th in that Alba Road Series opener. Marsh combines youthful fearlessness with a rapidly developing engine.
James Jobber (The Hurricane & Thunder Cycling Team) – Jobber brings a wealth of experience and international pedigree to the start line. The 31-year-old has ridden for Continental teams (including Global 6 and Kuwait Pro Cycling) and famously finished 8th overall in the Tour of Taiwan in 2022. He was 4th place at the Gifford Road Race in March, where he was one of the few who could follow the winning moves. A versatile all-rounder, expect him to be prominent figure if he is in form.
Ciaran McSherry (Defined Cycling Team) – McSherry has emerged as one of Scotland’s breakthrough riders this year. A consistent top finisher, he placed 5th in both the Gifford Road Race and the Scottish National Championship road race – a clear indicator of his form and consistency against high-calibre competition. The 23-year-old rides for the new Defined team and appears to be thriving in a leader’s role. McSherry is a well-rounded racer: solid on the climbs and capable of sprinting from small groups.
Ahron Dick (Equipo Finisher) – Fresh off an illustrious junior career, 18-year-old Dick returns to home roads as one of Scotland’s most exciting young talents. Last season he burst onto the scene by winning the Junior CiCLE Classic in a thrilling two-up sprint, and he capped 2024 with a podium at the Junior Tour of Wales. Now part of a Spanish development squad (Equipo Finisher, feeder to Kern Pharma), the Glasgow-born rider has been honing his craft in Europe. Known for his aggressive racing and time-trial prowess on the track, Dick will be keen to make a mark here.
William Taylor (Moonglu SpatzWear) – Borders-born and only 22, Taylor has been turning steady promise into tangible results this spring. He rode to 2nd place on stage 3 of the Peaks Two-Day and finished 8th overall, proving he can endure long, hilly races against Britain’s best. A month later he cracked the top-20 of the East Cleveland Classic (16th). Those rides build on a 2024 campaign that saw him collect podiums at the Gifford Road Race and Drummond Trophy. A diesel climber who time-trials well, he’s a genuine podium threat.
Jonny Britton (Moonglu SpatzWear) – Britton adds depth to the Moonglu challenge as a seasoned 27-year-old who knows how to win. He had a quieter start to 2025, but highlight his rising form with 5th last weekend at the Wheldrake 200. Last season Britton demonstrated his quality by winning the three-stage Clive Tiley Memorial race overall, a result that underlines his tactical nous and endurance. A Yorkshire-based rider, Britton is an adept rouleur who can handle rolling terrain and windy conditions – assets that will be useful on the exposed stretches of the Humbie course.
Liam Scott Douglas (JG Cycles) – Local fans will know Liam as a fast-finisher with a track engine, now translating that speed to road success. In late April, Scott Douglas proved his endurance by taking 10th in the Scottish Road Race Championships, showcasing his ability to survive a selective race and still have something left in the tank. He came close to the podium in the Alba Road Series last season, collecting 4th at the Straiton Struggle and 5th at the Hugh Dornan. If he’s there in the finale, his punchy sprint could snatch a surprise result against the bigger names.
Provisional startlist
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