I was a broken man at the finish

A FORRES cyclist placed third from 33 in a national challenge over 100 miles.

Defending champion, Callum Finlayson (42), competed in the Scottish 100 Mile Championships near Aberdeen on the A90 dual carriageway in difficult weather conditions, and whilst carrying an injury.

However, the local driving instructor was confident he would win again having recently broken the Scottish record for a 100 mile race in England. Unfortunately, on this occasion, it wasn’t to be.

“I’m disappointed not to be Scottish champion but very happy with my bronze medal,” he said. “Scottish medals are very hard to come by and it wasn’t long ago that I only dreamed of getting one!

The Moray Firth Cycling Club member travelled through to the city the night before the event with Forres fitness and nutrition coach, Dave Powney.

Dave has been helping Callum develop his power, stamina and speed during twice-weekly training sessions. They have also worked on his nutritioning to help him lose fat and gain lean muscle.

“This helps Callum compete at the highest level,” said Dave. “I’m honoured to be working with him - he’s always fully-committed and works at his optimum level.

“My duties on race day are as a mobile feeding station on the side of the road as he zooms past!”

Callum also enjoys a weekly leg massage at Back in Balance to revive his muscles and get rid of any fatigue he suffers from training and competition. He strained tendons in his calves training while on holiday in Tenerife climbing Mount Teide just two weeks before the race.

“I was struggling with damaged legs but Jon Kift at Back in Balance Osteopathy did a great job so it was fingers crossed,” he said.

“On the day we were lucky enough to have a wee lie-in as I wasn’t starting ‘til 8am. Dave had his microwave with him so we had not quite breakfast in bed but nearly!

“I tried to take as much food and fluid as my body would take for the race.”

Mainly based on the A90, the course also took a big diversion along a country road for five miles before a dead-turn, with riders heading back over lumpy terrain. The A90 lies in the middle of a valley with swooping curves which don’t allow cyclists to recover. Unfortunately there was also a strong wind blowing against and across the riders’ path for most of the 100 miles.

“The weather was awful,” said Callum. “The horrendous wind meant a lot never finished.

“For around the first 65 miles I was in the hunt for gold - I felt strong and was only a minute off the leader. Then my body started to shut down and the last 30 miles were the hardest and most emotional I’ve had on my bike.

“It’s the worst feeling when you are willing your legs round and there is nothing there - I was a broken man at the finish!”

There was little between the podium challengers: Stephen Williamson (a3crg) finished first in 3:56:14; Jon Entwistle (Deeside Thistle CC) was second with 4:00:20; followed by Forres’ own Callum on 4:05:22.

“I congratulate Stephen on becoming the new Scottish champion, and to everyone who completed the race because it’s an achievement in itself,” said Callum.

“How I got to the finish I will never know - but I’m very happy with third!”