Shetland cyclists win gold in Scottish time-trial championship

Shetland Wheelers cyclists Christine McLean and Carlos Riise made it another double by winning gold medals in Sunday’s Scottish 100-mile time trial championship.

McLean scooped first prize in the women’s event in a time of four hours 30 minutes and 50 seconds, a clear win of more than nine minutes over runner-up Shelley Farrer of Deeside Thistle, with Jay Burgess of Sandy Wallace Cycles a further five minutes back.

The winning margin in the men’s event was a lot closer. With 30 miles to go Riise worked out that he was three minutes down on Ray Wilson of Sandy Wallace Cycles. Riise upped his pace, powering back to finish in a time of three hours 59 minutes and two seconds, a mere 13 seconds ahead of second-placed Wilson.

This year’s course was far from being easy. The original and much flatter A9 route near Invergordon could not be used due to roadworks on the bridge at Cromarty. Instead the riders headed north past Bonar Bridge to the turn at Invershin.

This revised course was harder than expected due to the poor road surface and the constant ups and downs. That coupled with a rising north-westerly wind made it hard going, especially on the Dornoch to Invershin section which had to be covered twice. The general consensus was that this was one of the toughest courses ever used for a Scottish 100-mile championship.

The previous weekend Riise competed in a 12-hour time trial in Yorkshire. The quiet roads and warm conditions made for a fine day out on the bike. Riise was slightly off form and struggled in the last five hours but still managed to cover 263 miles for sixth place overall.

Meanwhile seven riders turned out for the Shetland Wheelers time trial on Tuesday, where a sunny night and moderate wind saw Stuart Pearson and Jim Nicolson reduce their times and record new PBs.

Results: Bonar Barclay 26:26; Dave Mitchell (Perth) 29:40; Jim Nicolson 28:30 (PB); Stuart Pearson 25:40 (PB); John-William Simpson 1:05:32 (25 miles); Colin Smith 22:43; Campbell Watt 28:20.
Shetland Wheelers holds time trials each Tuesday night, meeting at the Tingwall Hall at 6.15pm for a 6.30pm start and all are welcome. See the website for more details.