Schools Race (5/6/08)

Schools Race – 5th June 2008

Many aspiring young cyclists see the mountain bike World Cup, held annually in Fort William as the pinnacle of the sport. The event has made stars like Steve Peat, Tracey Mosely and Cedric Gracia hero’s in school playgrounds around the Highlands. Last Thursday, pupils from Highland schools had the opportunity to be part of the World Cup during the Highland Schools Championships. Last years event at the September World Championship was a test event with only a category for S1’s, which was won by Ben Miller of Kinlochleven high school and Nikki Sinclair of Fortrose academy.

Qualifying events held at popular mountain bike trails in Laggan, Learnie, Golspie and Fort William allowed teams to be selected to travel to Fort William to race on the famous ‘Witches Trail’ course.

World Cup Commentator Dan Jarvis built the atmosphere and sent the riders out to take on the very dry and dusty course, which included well loved (and loathed!) sections used by the professionals in Saturday’s race. Some closely races were fought on course, with the equal finish of Alice Cant and Bethany Sutherland in the p6-7 girls event being the tightest! Defending Champions Ben Miller and Nikki Sinclair kept their titles, though Collwyn Young gave a good challenge in the S1-2 race.

The team event totalled points from the top five positions from all races, with Lochaber the winning team.

Prizes were presented on the official World Cup podium by Fort William World Cup rider Joe Barnes, who rides in the World Series for MTB Cut TV / Orange bikes.

Prizes for the event were kindly donated by Off Beat Bikes, Nevis Cycles, Rare Management, Buff, Forestry Commission, MTB Cut, Scottish Cycling and Lochaber College. Special Prize was donated by Team Animal / Commencal, a signed race jersey signed by Rachel, Dan and Gee Atherton, who all won their events at the previous World Cup in Andorra.

The event was organised by Active Schools Co-ordinator Ruari Watt, with assistance from other Active Schools Co-ordinators Bridget Thomas, Tina Gibson, Nicola Yea, and Wim Chalmet. Special thanks for making the event happen to Rare Management for overall support and scheduling, chief marshal Andy Rogers and his team for managing the course and Dan Jarvis for Commentary. Thanks also to parents who helped out and supporting riders.

RESULTS

S3-6 Boys:1) Jamie Bailey (Lochaber)2) Rory MacLennan (Lochaber)3) Grant Sutherland (Sutherland) S1-2 Girls:Nikki Sinlair (Black Isle)Katie Maclennan (Lochaber)Megan Munro (Lochaber)
S1-2 Boys:1) Ben Miller (Lochaber)2) Collwyn Young (Black Isle)3) Iain Patison (Sutherland) P6-7 Girls=1) Alice Cant (Lochaber)=1) Bethany Sutherland (Sutherland)3) Amy Harris (Lochaber)4) Elena Molton (Badenoch and Strathspey)
P6-7 Boys1) Thomas Van Holten (Sutherland)2) Donald Rogers (Badenoch and Strathspey)3) Callum Russell (Lochaber)