West Lothian hosted a round of the Scottish Cross-Country Mountain Bike Series for the first time ever as cyclists from across the country descended on Beecraigs Country Park in Bathgate.
Host club, West Lothian Clarion, put in the hard yards to prepare the course and ensure that it was both a challenging and fun day for all who took part.
The dry weather meant the trails ran well with a string of impressive lap times across all the categories.
The club’s David Ogilvie, who had co-ordinated much of the organisation said he was delighted with how the event went, saying: “This was a great day’s racing and we’re really grateful to our army of volunteers, both from he club and the Scottish Cross-Country, who made it all happen, as well as West Lothian Council and the park rangers who offered their assistance and support.”
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He added: “We’re delighted to be able to show off our local trails in this way to the other riders on the Scottish circuit”.
And it’s not just off the track where the club can be pleased with their efforts as Clarion members produced a number of terrific results on the day – including two podium finishes.
Finn Mason took third place in the under-14 boys category with Orla Burns also finishing third in the under-10 girls race.
Clarion’s Andrew Turner, Sam Chisholm and Miller Crombie all placed in the top-10 of the under-16 race, with Danny Low and Gregor McPhaden also riding well – but there was frustration for Sam Marshall and Cameron Innes, who had to retire after crashes.
Meg Spittal also had to retire from the women’s race after a mechanical issue.
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In the under-14 boys race, Rory Ogilvie took 10th place, with Ruan Vorster, Ross Chisholm, Jamie Watson and Finlay Turner all putting in strong rides. Sarah Darling and Eriska Paterson represented the club in the under-12 girls category, taking eighth and 10th places, respectively.
Ben Massey, Brodie Duncan and Cailean Vorster all put in a good showing in the under-12 boys category.
The under-8 and under-10 races, run on a different course at the park, attracted almost 100 riders.
The host club were well represented with Alex Richardson, Cameron Bark, Ty Coles, Angus Dowens and Alasdair Fulton all riding in the under-8 boys category and Emelia Crombie taking seventh place in the girls’ race.
Orla Burn, Georgina Bark, Mairi Dowens and Sophie Martin all rode for the club in the girls under-10 category, with the boys represented by Rhuairdh Fulton, Calum Ogilvie, Johnny Darling, Olly Paterson and Ryan Ewart.
Club President Diane Clayton Chisholm said: “It’s fantastic to see our riders getting out and using their skills.”
