The Nationals

The British National Road Race Champs were in Glasgow today. I just suggested we went over a few days ago and was pleased that Rosemary fancied it. The woman's race started quite early on so we missed the first few laps but saw the important bits.

The highlight for me was seeing old club mate Claire Thomas race with such distinction. She was racing aggressively, but no one appeared to be negative in her group. A fine 7th overall which was awesome as all the girls in front of her were members of the Great Britain Cycling Team and/or top UCI registered ones with a few Olympic medal winners too. Old work colleague Julie Erskine was getting stuck in too, and doing her fair share of the work. Olympic silver medallist Lizzie Armitstead was a worthy winner.

I knew a few of the guys in the men's race and it always makes racing more fun to watch. We missed the 1st few laps as we headed for lunch but came back to see some of the best riders in the world racing really hard. David Millar was the 'big name' Scot in the field and he rode a great race. I was disappointed for Trek rider, Rab Wardell who never really got in the mix, having been caught up in a tangle on the start line. The 1st I saw of him was in the herbaceous border in Kelvingrove Park.....looking a bit pissed off. Although disappointed, he seemed pragmatic about it all and seemed happy that his mates had brought him a tray bake and a flask of tea as he watched the rest of the race in his hometown.

Although the standard of racing in the UK is pretty good just now, our domestic pro's don't normally race over 185km so it was no surprise that the breakaway was a class one with Ian Stannard, Peter Kennaugh, David Millar and Cav in it. Cav was looking strong, usually sitting on, so I predicted that Stannard would be the man to attack near the end and go solo. It was Davie Millar who tried to go on the final lap, gaining a 3 sec advantage. He was soon pulled back and Cav crossed the line easily in first place.

It was the best course I've watched a bike race on...city centre venue but with short,sharp hills galore, narrow sections including the lovely herbaceous border in Kelvingrove Park it was very challenging and great for spectators. I'm looking forward to seeing the Commonwealth's here next year but think Glasgow should bid for the Worlds in the future.

The Blip is of another Scot, Jamsie McCallum, a fine domestic pro for Rapha Condor. Looking good Jamsie!