The Scottish Schools’ Mountain Bike Championships took place for the second year in succession earlier this month (Image: Arwen Moses)

Perthshire plays host to Scottish Schools’ Mountain Bike Championships

Crieff independent day school, Morrison’s Academy, joined forces with the host venue and governing body Scottish Cycling for the event on September 12, which was held for the second year in succession

by · Daily Record

Around 400 secondary school pupils from across Scotland descended on Comrie Croft for the Scottish Schools’ Mountain Bike Championships.

Crieff independent day school, Morrison’s Academy, joined forces with the host venue and governing body Scottish Cycling for the event on September 12, which was held for the second year in succession.

Competitors in S1-6 came from 60 schools across Scotland, travelling from as far north as Banff and from as far south as the Scottish Borders.

They were split into three race categories - junior, intermediate and senior - and there were races for girls and boys, as well as mixed events.

The Scottish Schools’ Mountain Bike Championships were held at Comrie Croft (Image: Arwen Moses)

The championship, which was named Event of the Year at the 2023 Scottish Cycling Awards, aims to increase opportunities for young established racers to compete against peers in grassroots competitions.

Olympian Charlie Aldridge, a former pupil of Morrison’s Academy, was on hand to spur riders on and congratulate them.

Andrew Donaldson, founding director of Comrie Croft, said: “Following the success of the inaugural event last year, we were excited to be partnering with Morrison’s Academy and Scottish Cycling once again to host the Scottish Schools’ Mountain Bike Championships.

“After the recent success of Charlie at the Olympics – who started his own mountain biking career at Comrie Croft – it’s great to be able to support the next generation of first-time and more seasoned racers.”

Andrew McGarva, rector at Morrison’s Academy, said: “It was amazing to see so many school pupils taking part in this year’s SSMBCs and the talent on display at Comrie Croft was phenomenal.

Olympian Charlie Aldridge with Morrison's Academy rector Andrew McGarva (Image: Arwen Moses)

“This exciting partnership gives mountain bikers of all abilities the chance to step out of their comfort zone, build confidence, acquire new skills and establish friendships.

“After cheering on Morrisonian Charlie at the Olympics this summer we were delighted to welcome him to our event, where he cheered on and inspired all of the young competitors.”

Paul Newnham is Scottish Cycling’s national mountain biking coach.

He continued: “With students from across the country competing for their schools on the trails, the SSMBCs offered an exciting day of racing.

“The inspiration of Olympian Charlie growing up on these trails will hopefully drive some of them forward to one day compete for their country.”

Joint headline sponsors for this year’s event were Alpine Bikes and Endura, while Tradstocks Scottish Stone – which designed and made the trophies – was the sponsor of the winners’ medals.

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