City racers steal Hill Climb

CAPITAL cyclists posted a double success at the Scottish Hill Climb Championships in Perthshire yesterday, writes COLIN RENTON.

Agricultural vehicles involved in the potato harvest had left a covering of mud on the road that made the surface treacherous and race organisers were forced to switch from the original route to a longer but less steep alternative.

That played into the hands of Ben Abrahams of the Edinburgh based Velo Ecosse team and he took full advantage, covering the 3.1 mile distance in 11 minutes 42 seconds to take the title by 17 seconds from Arthur Doyle (Dooleys RT), who was runner up for the second year in succession. Glasgow Couriers rider Jim Cusick took bronze. The team award went to the Fife based Sandy Wallace Cycles team.

Claire Thomas (Edinburgh RC) successfully defended the women's title, powering up the hill in 14 minutes 49 seconds.