The Drummond Trophy returns this Saturday (20 September), bringing the curtain down on the national road season in Scotland. First raced in the 1950s, it remains one of Scotland’s most prestigious events.
This year’s edition is more than just tradition. It’s the decisive round of the Alba and Scotia Road Series, as well as the last chance for riders to score points in The British Continental’s rankings. Expect a hard-fought battle on South Lanarkshire’s unforgiving Drumclog circuit, and a victor who heads into winter with a result of real weight.
Here is our preview.
Featured image: Corin Halliday
What is it?
The Drummond Trophy is one of Scotland’s oldest and most prestigious road races, first run in the 1950s and long a cornerstone of the country’s calendar. Traditionally organised by Glenmarnock Wheelers, it passes this year into the hands of JGCC p/b The Good Coffee Cartel, who are keeping the race alive for a new generation.
Raced over the demanding Drumclog circuit near Strathaven, the event is famed for its rolling terrain, the punch of the Dungavel climb and a technical run-in that often makes for selective, unpredictable racing. For 2025, the programme features a 137km open National B race alongside a 57km women’s race (Regional A).
This year, the Drummond carries extra weight. It is the final national road race of the season and doubles as the decisive round of the Alba Road Series, Scotland’s premier road racing competition. Alongside the EMRRL Riders Collective GP, it also offers the last chance for riders to score points inThe British Continental’s national road race rankings — raising the stakes even higher.
The race’s roll of honour speaks to its stature: past winners include Richard Moore (1999), Pete Williams (2009, 2012), Dave Clark (2014), Steve Lampier (2017) and Michael Storer (2018), while more recent editions have been claimed by Tim Shoreman (2022) and Alex Luhrs (2024) . It remains what it has always been — a race that tests resilience, rewards ambition, and sends its victor into the off-season with a result of real weight.
Route
Both races take place on the Drumclog circuit, a classic loop in South Lanarkshire that has defined the Drummond Trophy for decades. Each lap heads west from Strathaven towards Drumclog before swinging south to tackle the Dungavel climb, a long drag that wears riders down over repeated ascents.
The roads are typically narrow and exposed, with rougher surfaces in places and blind turns that demand full concentration. After Drumclog, the circuit cuts back towards Strathaven on lanes that rarely allow the bunch to settle, ensuring that positioning and local knowledge count for as much as raw power.
The run-in to the finish is no less testing. With just over a kilometre to go, the route squeezes through a small bridge before a sharp left-hander, funnelling the race into a high-speed drag race up the B743 into Strathaven. It is a finish that rewards bravery and resilience, and one where a moment’s hesitation can undo hours of effort.
For 2025, the open race covers seven laps of the circuit for a total of 137km, while the women’s peloton tackles two laps (57km), with the option of a third lap if entries allow. The combination of distance, terrain and late-season timing ensures that, as ever, the Drummond will be a war of attrition.
Riders to watch
Open race
The 2018 Commonwealth Games silver medallist John Archibald (HUUB WattShop) remains a rider of rare horsepower. This season he has smashed domestic time trials, winning both the RTTC National 50-mile and Circuit Championships, underlining his enduring power against the clock. Archibald has the ability to carry that form onto the road – he was runner-up in last year’s edition of this race – and if he launches a long-range move on the Drumclog circuit, few in this field will have the firepower to chase him down.
Matt Dobbins (Edinburgh Bike Fitting RT) has put together one of his best seasons yet. He claimed a dramatic overall victory at the Mennock Pass Stage Race and mixed it with the sprinters to take 5th at the Fort Vale Colne GP. Internationally, he bagged a top-10 stage finish at the Tour of Kosovo (UCI 2.2) and impressed with 12th at the Irish National Championships. A powerful all-rounder, he thrives on attritional courses like Drumclog.
Henry Hunter (MUC-OFF-SRCT-STORCK). Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
One of the revelations of 2025, Henry Hunter (MUC-OFF–SRCT–Storck) stormed to a solo stage win at the Mennock Pass Stage Race and secured 3rd overall. He’s also placed inside the top 20 at both the East Cleveland Classic and Tour of the Reservoir. A former fell runner, his engine and resilience mark him out as a rider who relishes the kind of selective racing the Drummond always delivers.
At just 17, Evan Marsh (BCC Race Team) has already carved out a stellar reputation. He podiumed at the Junior CiCLE Classic, placed 3rd overall at the Witham Hall Two-Day, and took a stage win at the Junior Tour of South Wales. He also shone internationally. 6th at the Gifford Road Race earlier this year demonstrates that Marsh isn’t intimidated by racing against seniors – he could spring another upset here.
Finn McHenry (Edinburgh Bike Fitting RT) finished 7th in the U23 Yorkshire Classic earlier this season, took a podium with 2nd on a stage at the Tour of Kosovo, and rode strongly at the Irish Nationals. A resilient climber who loves to attack, McHenry is well-suited to Drumclog’s rolling roads and could force a decisive move.
Ahron Dick (Equipo Finisher). Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Riding with Spanish development squad Equipo Finisher, 18-year-old Ahron Dick has been cutting his teeth in both domestic and international fields this season. He impressed with 4th on Stage 2 of the Mennock Pass Stage Race and 12th at the Andrew Matheson Memorial Trophy, underlining his ability to compete deep into tough one-day and stage race efforts. A resilient all-rounder, Dick brings the sharpness of continental racing back to Scotland, and if he can survive the repeated climbs of Drumclog, he could be a dangerous presence in the finale.
Women’s race
In the women’s race, Scotia Series leader Lulu Bartlett (Team Boompods) and UCI Continental rider Arianne Holland (Handsling Alba Development Road Team) are the favourites from a slim 9-rider field.
What’s at stake in the Alba and Scotia Road Series?
Alba Series
The standings couldn’t be tighter. After three rounds, William Taylor and Matti Dobbins share the lead on 50 points, with James Sawyers just one point back. Yet only Dobbins takes the start at Drumclog, giving him a golden chance to seal the series.
For Dobbins, the task is simple: a top-ten finish guarantees the overall. Even if he slips to 11th or lower, only Henry Hunter – currently on 25 points – Evan Marsh (19 pts) and Toby Tanfield (17 pts) could deny him. Hunter wouldn’t necessarily need to win to do it. A strong podium result could be enough if Dobbins fails to add to his tally.
1
Matti Dobbins
50
2
William Taylor
50
3
James Sawyers
49
4
Ciaran McSherry
46
5
Alexander Ball
43
6
Logan Maclean
43
7
Ross Turner
42
8
Elliott Colyer
30
9
Noah Bleteau
25
10
Henry Hunter
25
Alba Road Series top 10 after three rounds
Beyond Hunter, the maths grow tougher. Marsh and Tanfield still have an outside shot, but only with victory and only if Dobbins scores nothing.
The title is Dobbins’ to lose, but Hunter in particular ensures there’s still potential drama in store. One bad day from the series leader could yet flip the script on Scotland’s most prestigious circuit.
Scotia Series
After three rounds, Lulu Bartlett leads with 70 points, just a single point ahead of Isla Easto on 69. Rebecca Saunderson sits third on 60. But only Bartlett is on the Drumclog startline. Easto and Saunderson will watch from the sidelines as their chances slip away.
1
Lulu Bartlett
70
2
Isla Easto
69
3
Rebecca Saunderson
60
Scotia Road Series top 10
For Bartlett, the maths are straightforward. With 35 points for a win and points stretching down to 20th, simply finishing inside the top 20 guarantees her the overall. In reality, the title looks secure already – her rivals cannot add to their tallies, while the next best starter, Teri Bayliss, begins on 30 points and even with victory could only reach 65.
The Drummond Trophy returns this Saturday (20 September), bringing the curtain down on the national road season in Scotland. First raced in the 1950s, it remains one of Scotland’s most prestigious events.
This year’s edition is more than just tradition. It’s the decisive round of the Alba and Scotia Road Series, as well as the last chance for riders to score points in The British Continental’s rankings. Expect a hard-fought battle on South Lanarkshire’s unforgiving Drumclog circuit, and a victor who heads into winter with a result of real weight.
Here is our preview.
Featured image: Corin Halliday
What is it?
The Drummond Trophy is one of Scotland’s oldest and most prestigious road races, first run in the 1950s and long a cornerstone of the country’s calendar. Traditionally organised by Glenmarnock Wheelers, it passes this year into the hands of JGCC p/b The Good Coffee Cartel, who are keeping the race alive for a new generation.
Raced over the demanding Drumclog circuit near Strathaven, the event is famed for its rolling terrain, the punch of the Dungavel climb and a technical run-in that often makes for selective, unpredictable racing. For 2025, the programme features a 137km open National B race alongside a 57km women’s race (Regional A).
This year, the Drummond carries extra weight. It is the final national road race of the season and doubles as the decisive round of the Alba Road Series, Scotland’s premier road racing competition. Alongside the EMRRL Riders Collective GP, it also offers the last chance for riders to score points in The British Continental’s national road race rankings — raising the stakes even higher.
The race’s roll of honour speaks to its stature: past winners include Richard Moore (1999), Pete Williams (2009, 2012), Dave Clark (2014), Steve Lampier (2017) and Michael Storer (2018), while more recent editions have been claimed by Tim Shoreman (2022) and Alex Luhrs (2024) . It remains what it has always been — a race that tests resilience, rewards ambition, and sends its victor into the off-season with a result of real weight.
Route
Both races take place on the Drumclog circuit, a classic loop in South Lanarkshire that has defined the Drummond Trophy for decades. Each lap heads west from Strathaven towards Drumclog before swinging south to tackle the Dungavel climb, a long drag that wears riders down over repeated ascents.
The roads are typically narrow and exposed, with rougher surfaces in places and blind turns that demand full concentration. After Drumclog, the circuit cuts back towards Strathaven on lanes that rarely allow the bunch to settle, ensuring that positioning and local knowledge count for as much as raw power.
The run-in to the finish is no less testing. With just over a kilometre to go, the route squeezes through a small bridge before a sharp left-hander, funnelling the race into a high-speed drag race up the B743 into Strathaven. It is a finish that rewards bravery and resilience, and one where a moment’s hesitation can undo hours of effort.
For 2025, the open race covers seven laps of the circuit for a total of 137km, while the women’s peloton tackles two laps (57km), with the option of a third lap if entries allow. The combination of distance, terrain and late-season timing ensures that, as ever, the Drummond will be a war of attrition.
Riders to watch
Open race
The 2018 Commonwealth Games silver medallist John Archibald (HUUB WattShop) remains a rider of rare horsepower. This season he has smashed domestic time trials, winning both the RTTC National 50-mile and Circuit Championships, underlining his enduring power against the clock. Archibald has the ability to carry that form onto the road – he was runner-up in last year’s edition of this race – and if he launches a long-range move on the Drumclog circuit, few in this field will have the firepower to chase him down.
Matt Dobbins (Edinburgh Bike Fitting RT) has put together one of his best seasons yet. He claimed a dramatic overall victory at the Mennock Pass Stage Race and mixed it with the sprinters to take 5th at the Fort Vale Colne GP. Internationally, he bagged a top-10 stage finish at the Tour of Kosovo (UCI 2.2) and impressed with 12th at the Irish National Championships. A powerful all-rounder, he thrives on attritional courses like Drumclog.
One of the revelations of 2025, Henry Hunter (MUC-OFF–SRCT–Storck) stormed to a solo stage win at the Mennock Pass Stage Race and secured 3rd overall. He’s also placed inside the top 20 at both the East Cleveland Classic and Tour of the Reservoir. A former fell runner, his engine and resilience mark him out as a rider who relishes the kind of selective racing the Drummond always delivers.
At just 17, Evan Marsh (BCC Race Team) has already carved out a stellar reputation. He podiumed at the Junior CiCLE Classic, placed 3rd overall at the Witham Hall Two-Day, and took a stage win at the Junior Tour of South Wales. He also shone internationally. 6th at the Gifford Road Race earlier this year demonstrates that Marsh isn’t intimidated by racing against seniors – he could spring another upset here.
Finn McHenry (Edinburgh Bike Fitting RT) finished 7th in the U23 Yorkshire Classic earlier this season, took a podium with 2nd on a stage at the Tour of Kosovo, and rode strongly at the Irish Nationals. A resilient climber who loves to attack, McHenry is well-suited to Drumclog’s rolling roads and could force a decisive move.
Riding with Spanish development squad Equipo Finisher, 18-year-old Ahron Dick has been cutting his teeth in both domestic and international fields this season. He impressed with 4th on Stage 2 of the Mennock Pass Stage Race and 12th at the Andrew Matheson Memorial Trophy, underlining his ability to compete deep into tough one-day and stage race efforts. A resilient all-rounder, Dick brings the sharpness of continental racing back to Scotland, and if he can survive the repeated climbs of Drumclog, he could be a dangerous presence in the finale.
Women’s race
In the women’s race, Scotia Series leader Lulu Bartlett (Team Boompods) and UCI Continental rider Arianne Holland (Handsling Alba Development Road Team) are the favourites from a slim 9-rider field.
What’s at stake in the Alba and Scotia Road Series?
Alba Series
The standings couldn’t be tighter. After three rounds, William Taylor and Matti Dobbins share the lead on 50 points, with James Sawyers just one point back. Yet only Dobbins takes the start at Drumclog, giving him a golden chance to seal the series.
For Dobbins, the task is simple: a top-ten finish guarantees the overall. Even if he slips to 11th or lower, only Henry Hunter – currently on 25 points – Evan Marsh (19 pts) and Toby Tanfield (17 pts) could deny him. Hunter wouldn’t necessarily need to win to do it. A strong podium result could be enough if Dobbins fails to add to his tally.
Beyond Hunter, the maths grow tougher. Marsh and Tanfield still have an outside shot, but only with victory and only if Dobbins scores nothing.
The title is Dobbins’ to lose, but Hunter in particular ensures there’s still potential drama in store. One bad day from the series leader could yet flip the script on Scotland’s most prestigious circuit.
Scotia Series
After three rounds, Lulu Bartlett leads with 70 points, just a single point ahead of Isla Easto on 69. Rebecca Saunderson sits third on 60. But only Bartlett is on the Drumclog startline. Easto and Saunderson will watch from the sidelines as their chances slip away.
For Bartlett, the maths are straightforward. With 35 points for a win and points stretching down to 20th, simply finishing inside the top 20 guarantees her the overall. In reality, the title looks secure already – her rivals cannot add to their tallies, while the next best starter, Teri Bayliss, begins on 30 points and even with victory could only reach 65.
Provisional startlists
Open race
Women’s race
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