As part of the build up to the TCI Friday race series a new handicap race format was piloted at the circuit.

Riders were split into 3 groups of equal ability with the fastest riders setting off first closely followed by the middle group and then the slowest group in a 30 minute race

We followed a format used by the Yomp Bonk Crew at the Brownlee circuit where the fast group is 2 laps behind the slow group, tweaked into two 30 minute races due to the shorter length of the West Lothian Cycle Circuit

Organiser Matthew Ball said “I wasn’t sure how the handicap would pan out but the three groups were well matched and the catch didn’t happen until the last 5 laps”

“The groups stayed together and it was exciting to watch, in the last race especially it didn’t look like the the fast group would make the junction”

“I had a team of experienced volunteers who made everything run smoothly. Hendrik understood the concept and was great at judging when to call 5 laps to go”

“There is space on the Friday calendar for two more handicaps this year so look out for the next on”

Feedback from the riders has been good:

“A cracking event, well done on a good format”

“It was the most exciting racing I’ve seen at the circuit”

“I don’t think mankind was meant to have this much fun”

Thank you to the racers who rode in the spirit of the event, it was an exciting race to watch seeing riders chasing down the groups ahead until the last!

A massive thanks to the volunteers, including Hendrik who officiated and the help and advice of Tarn and the rest of the Scottish Cycling events team

Terrific photos from Kris at Falkirk Photography, many thanks!