Cycling Superstars Come to Stewarton

A bruised and cut Alex Dowsett Rides to Victory

For the second time in two weeks, I returned to the Bonnet Toun. This time it was to join in with a record breaking crowd of 3,500 people who lined the streets of Stewarton to cheer on the country’s elite cyclists for what has been described as the best time British Cycling Time Trial Championships ever!

Alex McPhee

Although work commitments meant that I had to miss the Under 23's and the Women's events, I arrived at the town's Standalane in time to catch the Men’s race and to meet up with some old friends, including Alex McPhee, Stan Wardrope, Alan and Billy Rafferty and women's football legend Rose Reilly. There were some famous cyclists in town too. Although there was no Wiggo, Movistar pro Alex Dowsett, established Team Sky rider Ben Swift and his 35-year-old time trial nemesis Matt Bottrill graced the streets of the famous Ayrshire burgh.

Favourite Alex Dowsett, who had won his first Grand Tour stage win in the Giro d'Italia time trial in May, suffered a bad crash, which cost him 20 seconds but still managed to win the Time Trial Championship for the third year in a row. The 24 year old suffered a detatched tubular tyre, which forced him off of his bike, resulting in a switch of bikes, a ripped skinsuit and blood visible down the left side of his body.

Iain Grant

Simon Bridge

Tom Black

James Cusick

Gerry McGarrity

Sean Childs

William Bjergfelt

Men (hour.min.sec)
1. Alex Dowsett 1.02.30
2. Matt Bottrill +0.00.21
3. Ben Swift +0.00.21
4. Douglas Dewey +0.00.32
5. Luke Rowe +0.00.49

FULL RESULT

Women's Race
In the Women's Race, Joanna Rowsell defeated Olympic Games road race silver medallist, Lizzie Armitstead, to claim the women's title.
Women (min:sec)
1. Joanna Rowsell 49:25
2. Lizzie Armitstead +00:32
3. Katie Colclough +01.37
4. Emma Trott +01:56
5. Laura Trott +02:01
6. Lucy Coldwell +02:15
7. Elinor Barker +02:17
8. Anna Turvey +02:38
9. Hannah Barnes +02:57
10. Julia Shaw +03:19

FULL RESULT

Under-23 Race
Sam Harrison successfully defended his title with an assured performance, the 20-year-old 100% ME rider completed the 35.2-kilometre course in 44 minutes and 47 seconds, ahead of Joe Perret and team mate George Atkins.
Under-23 men (min:sec.hun)

Fish and Chips

1. Sam Harrison 44:47.965
2. Joe Perrett +00.23.036
3. George Atkins +01:24.602
4. Dan McLay +02:04.436
5. Jon Dibben +02:41.777
6. Jon Mould +02:55.604
7. Josh Teasdale +03:26.222
8. Liam Glen +03:40.527
9. Elliott Porter +03:41.796
10. Ed Laverack +03:42.342

FULL RESULT

With perfect conditions, Stewarton was looking splendid and it was great to see my home town being transformed into the centre of UK Cycling for a day.  The local chippies did a roaring trade and I enjoyed a half pint in the Smugglers Inn with some old pals before heading back to Strathbungo.



I'll always remember the day when the cycling superstars came to the Bonnet Town but for me the biggest superstar will always be Stewarton's very own sporting legend Rose Reilly.

Rose Reilly

Photos here: www.iangoudie.com