Sutherland shows field clean pair of wheels

CAITHNESS Cycling Club riders Allan Sutherland and Andrew "Hamper" MacLeod put in excellent performances in the club’s first open racing weekend of the year, which attracted riders from as far afield as Forres and Aviemore.

Event one on Saturday afternoon was a 25 mile time trial on the Watten road. Fortunately the stormy weather forecast did not materialise with the dry conditions and a light west wind helping produce some excellent times.

Fastest was Ross-shire visitor Henry Blake in 58 minutes 45 seconds, closely followed by Charles Fletcher (Cairngorm) and Hamper MacLeod, both of whom beat the hour in their first "25". Second local rider was 75-year-old Alasdair Washington who took the veteran’s prize, while Lorna Stanger won the ladies award a week after a fine performance in the London Marathon, and Phil Cartwright took the handicap award. Jeremy Foster was also in his debut "25" and did well to record 1hr 10min 1sec.

Results: 1 H. Blake (Ross-shire RCC), 58.45; 2 C. Fletcher (Cairngorm CC) 59.05. 3 A. MacLeod (CCC) 59.32. 4 D. Harter (Forres CC) 1.0.10. 5 S. Liddle (Ben Wyvis Cycles) 1.0.53. 6 A. Washington (CCC) 1.7.19. 7 Lorna Stanger (CCC) 1.8.45. 8 P. Cartwright (CCC) 1.9.08. 9 J. Foster (CCC) 1.10.01. 10 Mary Eagleson (RRCC) 1.15.45. 11 S. Fraser (CCC) 1.17.33.

The weather changed dramatically for the worse for the 23 mile Loch Calder Hilly, on Sunday morning when riders had to contend with very strong westerly winds, low temperatures and showers of rain and hail. Despite these conditions, there were some fine performances with Thurso’s Allan Sutherland scoring a 12 second win over Henry Blake in 1hr 0min 28sec, and Charles Fletcher just pipping Hamper MacLeod for third.

Lorna Stanger used her hill-climbing ability to good effect to take the ladies prize and Forres visitor Dave Harter won the veteran’s award. Winner of the handicap prize was Mark Munro. Unluckiest rider was Phil Cartwright who retired after puncturing.

Results: 1 A. Sutherland (CCC) 1.0.28. 2 H. Blake (RRCC) 1.0.40. 3 C. Fletcher (Cairngorm) 1.1.27. 4 A. MacLeod (CCC) 1.1.49. 5 D. Harter (Forres) 1.4.25. 6 S. Liddle (Ben Wyvis) 1.5.37. 7 M. Gordon (Cromarty CC) 1.5.43. 8 M. Munro (Cairngorm) 1.7.33. 9 D. Cowie (Forres) 1.12.15. 10 K. Moir (RRCC) 1.14.51. 11 Lorna Stanger (CCC) 1.15.07. 12 A. Washington (CCC) 1.17.34. 13 Katrina Moir (RRCC) 1.19.44. 14 J. Foster (CCC) 1.20.30. 15 Mary Eagleson (RRCC) 1.27.25. 16 S. Fraser (CCC) 1.31.09.

Earlier in the week, there were strong winds yet again for the local 10 mile time trial but Andrew "Hamper" MacLeod and Allan Sutherland stormed round at over 25mph with Hamper gaining a 21 second advantage.

Jeremy Foster had a massive six minute improvement to take maximum points in the handicap league, followed by Gary Angus and Roger Toswill.

Results: 1 A. MacLeod 23 minutes 28 seconds. 2 A. Sutherland 23.49. 3 A. Washington 27.19. 4 R. Toswill 27.27. 5 G. Angus 28.38. 6 J. Foster 28.54. 7 S. Fraser 32.28. 8 R. Broughton 32.57.

This weekend, club members travel to compete in the Forres "10" and the 17 mile Edinvale Hilly.

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