William Taylor (Moonglu SpatzWear) took a breakthrough solo victory in today’s inaugural Andrew Matheson Memorial Road Race, outsprinting his breakaway companions on the final rise to the line after spending the second half of the race up the road.
Featured image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com. Taylor at the 2023 Lancaster Grand Prix. More images to follow when available.
Report
The 130km race – Round 2 of the Alba Road Series – was held on a tough 21.6km circuit through Humbie and the Saltouns, roads that the race’s namesake, Andy “Matho” Matheson, trained on regularly during his decades-long involvement in East Lothian cycling. Matheson, a former Commonwealth Games rider and stalwart of Musselburgh Roads CC, was remembered with warmth and pride throughout the day.
The racing was aggressive from the gun. Taylor was quick to animate proceedings, joining a group of around 15 riders early on, though the move was short-lived. After a series of attacks failed to stick, the decisive move came around the 50km mark, when Taylor slipped clear with James Sawyers (Cycling Sheffield) and Ross Turner (Leadout Performance).
The trio worked efficiently to establish a gap of two minutes, maintaining it through the blustery East Lothian countryside as the bunch behind failed to organise an effective chase.
As the final lap approached, the elastic in the break began to stretch. Taylor, riding confidently, kept his powder dry until the final kilometre, where a well-timed surge on a small rise proved decisive. He distanced both breakaway companions to solo across the line, arms aloft.
“Coming into the last lap I was confident as others started to weaken,” said Taylor. “I saved my attack until 1k to go where I went on the small kicker and soloed to victory.”
Behind, Sawyers and Turner held on for second and third respectively. Taylor’s teammate Jamie Philpott produced a strong ride to claim fourth after a solo chase that nearly bridged the gap to the leaders. Fellow Moonglu rider Jonny Britton also played a key role, helping to shut down counter-attacks in the bunch and giving Taylor’s move every chance to succeed.
Taylor celebrates the win with his teammates. Image: supplied
Taylor’s victory was not only a personal milestone but also a triumph of team execution, and it puts him firmly in the mix for the Alba Road Series, especially with series leader Logan Maclean absent from the top placings.
William Taylor (Moonglu SpatzWear) took a breakthrough solo victory in today’s inaugural Andrew Matheson Memorial Road Race, outsprinting his breakaway companions on the final rise to the line after spending the second half of the race up the road.
Featured image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com. Taylor at the 2023 Lancaster Grand Prix. More images to follow when available.
Report
The 130km race – Round 2 of the Alba Road Series – was held on a tough 21.6km circuit through Humbie and the Saltouns, roads that the race’s namesake, Andy “Matho” Matheson, trained on regularly during his decades-long involvement in East Lothian cycling. Matheson, a former Commonwealth Games rider and stalwart of Musselburgh Roads CC, was remembered with warmth and pride throughout the day.
The racing was aggressive from the gun. Taylor was quick to animate proceedings, joining a group of around 15 riders early on, though the move was short-lived. After a series of attacks failed to stick, the decisive move came around the 50km mark, when Taylor slipped clear with James Sawyers (Cycling Sheffield) and Ross Turner (Leadout Performance).
The trio worked efficiently to establish a gap of two minutes, maintaining it through the blustery East Lothian countryside as the bunch behind failed to organise an effective chase.
As the final lap approached, the elastic in the break began to stretch. Taylor, riding confidently, kept his powder dry until the final kilometre, where a well-timed surge on a small rise proved decisive. He distanced both breakaway companions to solo across the line, arms aloft.
“Coming into the last lap I was confident as others started to weaken,” said Taylor. “I saved my attack until 1k to go where I went on the small kicker and soloed to victory.”
Behind, Sawyers and Turner held on for second and third respectively. Taylor’s teammate Jamie Philpott produced a strong ride to claim fourth after a solo chase that nearly bridged the gap to the leaders. Fellow Moonglu rider Jonny Britton also played a key role, helping to shut down counter-attacks in the bunch and giving Taylor’s move every chance to succeed.
Taylor’s victory was not only a personal milestone but also a triumph of team execution, and it puts him firmly in the mix for the Alba Road Series, especially with series leader Logan Maclean absent from the top placings.
Results
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