George and Archibald strengthen Merlin Series hopes with Scottish wins
Jennifer George and John Archibald (both HUUB-WattShop) took convincing victories at round four of the Merlin Cycles Classic TT Series, the Tour of the Meldons staged by Edinburgh Road Club.
The course near Peebles was slightly shortened to 22.2 miles due to temporary traffic lights that appeared on the course the day before, but it didn’t stop the event being a huge success with beautiful scenery and a challenging route.
Archibald’s time of 46-39 gave him a third win in the series, and was some way ahead of runner-up Richard Sanderson (Kinross CC) in 52-29 while third was Duncan MacLeod (Scottish Borders RT) in 53-26.
George, the 40-year-old Scot who now lives in London, covered the course in 55-13 to win the women’s category in convincing style. Second on time trial machines was Anna Fairweather (RT23) with 1-02-52, while third was Sarah Emslie (Edinburgh RC) in 1-11-50.
Peebles CC rider Sharon Bird was second fastest overall on her road bike in a time of 1-00-03, with Sarah Scott (Torvelo Racing) clocking 1-05-16 for second in the female road bike category.
And in the men’s road bike category Chris Booth (Giant Kendal Sidas) won in 53-08 with Barry McColl (Peebles CC) second in 57-58.
In the veterans time trial bike category Chris Smart (GTR-Return to Life was fastest in 50-09, 39 seconds quicker than Richard Sharp (ADDFORM Vive le Velo), with Marc Anderson (GTR Return to Life) third.
“It was a nice course, I’ve ridden it before in 2017 and 2019 so I do know it, but not a lot. I still had to think about what was coming up,” said Archibald. “It had rained overnight and in the morning so we had wet roads, but it was a nice dry day and not much wind.
“It’s great to have a varied and challenging course which gives you so much to think about on your way round.”
And Jennifer George added: “Because it’s such an up and down course I just rode it as hard as I could and hoped to get under 58 minutes, but it was an unknown for me because I’ve not done this course before.
“I was really pleased with my ride. I’ve not done this series in a few years, and I’m really enjoying the routes because they are almost like road races in that they’re punchy, grippy, exciting, challenging and just really enjoyable.
“I will definitely go to Devon for the Circuit Championships in June which will give me three rides in the series, which might be enough, it depends on what other people do."
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