Cycling: Robin pedal powers to Dundee success

May 29 2009 by Donald Morton, Stirling Observer Friday

STIRLING Bike Club rider Robin Wilkins raced to victory in last weekend’s two-stage Dundee Thistle race.

The event is one of the toughest in the Scottish cycling calendar with a prologue dominated by “The Law”, a prominent feature of Dundee’s skyline standing a tough 757ft above sea level – with riders battling it out to make it up there in the fastest time.

Robin (pictured) managed to the top in four minutes nine seconds, smashing the course record by eight seconds – however, this was beaten by Steve McIntosh from Granite City in four minutes four seconds, and ex-Stirling Bike Club racer Dougie Young, now of Glasgow Wheelers narrowly beating Robin’s time.

Following the prologue was two stages, the first being five laps of a flat course, with a hill to finish, and the second stage including more hills.

Robin broke on the second lap with five others and attacked three miles from the end closing the gap down between himself and that of the stage winner Jon Sturman of Active Cycles to three seconds.

The second stage proved tough for all riders. After the first lap 15 riders broke away, only to be caught again by the chasing riders. Another attack was launched, with four riders including Robin quickly opening a one-minute gap.

Unfortunately they were caught again, but this didn’t phase Robin as he attacked once again, taking one rider with him. He couldn’t keep up the pace, leaving Robin with an effortless victory by 70 seconds over Damian Smith of Team Wheelbase.

“Going into the race I felt under a bit of pressure to do well as I have built a reputation as a strong rider,” said Robin afterwards. “I thought the competition was good, with several teams up from England to compete, plus a selection of quality Scottish riders. It was a relief to win and I surprised myself with how comfortably I did it, I've now got a lot more confidence going into the next races.”

Mark Baugh, Stirling Bike Club chairman, added: “This is an excellent result for Robin and the club. We have been working hard to build up a road race team that is capable of competing at the top level. With the riders in the club at the moment and the youngsters coming through our youth development I think we are now reaching that point, it is great to see.”

Stirling Bike Club welcomes all disciplines and levels of cycling, from mountain biking, to road riding and racing, as well as a thriving youth section – the Wallace Warriors. The club has several different runs of varying ability taking place throughout the week. Log on to www.stirlingbikeclub.org.uk