edinburgh rc cycling club

Men's Road Race Team

Review of 2009- the year of the crash!

It's been a tough year for the men's team in 2009.  Following on from last year's inaugural successes, it was inevitably going to be a tough year, with the majority of riders competing in the 'elite' series races in Scotland for the first time.

Aidan MacIllroy, perhaps our star rider of last year, suffered a serious achilles injury in December 2008 and only returned to racing at the end of August.

Tim Blathwayte, another rising star who achieved great things in his first full year of racing last year, crashed out in our first BIG race of the season, the Easter 4 day race in Northumberland.  Colin May showed his real mettle in that race however, right up there in the top 25% of the field day in day out.    Colin was proving himself to be a real winner in races, but was one of two riders who came down very severely in the Drummond Trophy Road Race in Eaglesham in June.  With mutiple fractures, and a prolonged stay in hospital, that drew to a close the racing career of one of our team's best riders.  The other casualty of that race, Alastair McNicol, when back on the bike, came over from Equipe Velo Ecosse to join ERC, and has been a dedicated member of the team since.

Ross Spence concluded his season at the Edinburgh Nocturne, suffering from an ongoing virus.  As one of the most team-orientated riders I'm very hopeful he'll be back on form for next year.

Alistair Easton on the other hand, had a great season, achieving his second cat licence following some consistently strong results.    Calum MacLean finally returned to something of his old race form, attaining a very satisfactory result in the David Bell Support Race, and narrowly winning the ESCA RR Championship.

There's no doubt that the racing season is getting tougher and tougher-  with increasingly strong Endura and Dooley's squads, along with the rennaissance of teams like Glasgow Wheelers and many others providing a really high bar to meet.

Here's hoping that we can rebuild and retain a full strength team for 2010.  If you're interested, look out for applications for next year's team.

2009 details. 

The 2009 team has been announced.

In 2009 Edinburgh RC will again operate its Men's Road program. Full funding is availiable for E/1/2 riders and part funding for 3rd Cats. 

As a minimum a fully funded rider will have all Road Race entry fees and travel costs covered for all SC Road Racing events and other selected events (eg Tour of the North).  3rd Cat riders will have Road Race entry fees and travel costs covered for selected Road Racing events. Clothing expenses and crash damage will be covered and other requirements can be negotiated with the team management group.

ERC also have several BC qualified coaches who are available for any coaching input required.

For further information contact Calum MacLean crmaclean@yahoo.co.uk or Kevin Tait kevin@barndoor.plus.com

2008

In 2008 Field & Lawn Marquees provided financial support for ERC's Men to compete at the highest level in Scottish Road Racing.  

Some of the successful results included Aidan McIlroy's 10th in the SC Road Race Championships, 1st in the Lammimurs Road Race and is East of Scotland Road Race Champion.  Aidan was also the ESCA Hill Climb Champion. 

Tim Blathwayt recorded two race wins in the Ross McDonald Memorial Road Race and The Davie Bell Support Race. 

Colin May was sucessful by winning the 5th SuP6R SIX B race and placed on the podium in two other races in the series.

Click here to see the Men's Road Results for 2008

Squad Riders in the bunch at the Billy Warnock.
 

Fully funded rider Aidan McIlroy lines out the bunch. Photo courtesy of Ian Henderson

For more information and general enquires please contact msquadsteering@edinburghrc.co.uk

Tim Blathywate, winner of the Ross McDonald Memorial Road Race, with team mates Colin May and Ross Spence.