Latest Scott News
[Posted 06.08.07]
Leading the 1100 riders away from the road start at Selkirk, the head of the field was soon a familiar sight of black, white and yellow as the three man Scott team of National Champs Bronze medalist Nick Craig, Stu Bowers and Jonny Pugh hit the front at the penultimate round of the 2007 Merida series at Selkirk on Sunday. As the trio swung off road, only James Octoloni was able to keep up the pace until the quartet passed the 10km marker when Pugh suffered the first of a series of problems as his wheel got pinched between rocks and he slid to a halt with a sickening thud. Close examination reveal that a razor sharp rock had in fact cut the sidewall of his Schwalbe tyre. Pugh, obviously not on a good day was to suffer a further 2 punctures before being able to make up lost ground.
Ahead the three drove on through intermittent drizzle until the course was on the outskirts of Innerleithen when Ocotoloni, who had been looking strong until then, suddenly tailed off at the 65km point, leaving Craig and Bowers ahead. Never letting up with the worry that Octoloni may recover and surprise the pair the pair pushed on ahead. With the last 15 km to go, another stiff rocky climb proved one too many for Bowers who had to let his team captain head to the finish alone in a time of 3-58. Bowers came in 4 mins. Pugh for his troubles bravely continued to come in over an hour down, but otherwise satisfied with his effort.
Further South in Wales, another Scott bike was crossing the finish line first as Saunier Duval-Prodirís David Millar won the rescheduled National Road Race Championship at Abergavenny in Wales. Millar utilized his newly found sprinting ability to outpace Daniel Lloyd (DFL) as the pair had left a breakaway group of 7 that included defending champion Hammish Haines.
