On top of the world: Riders welcome support at first medal event of UCI cycling championships at Glentress
Last updated 7th Aug 2023
Her smile shone through the miserable weather as she crossed the finish line at Glentress.
Isla Short was the first British female home in the Mountain Bike Cross-country Marathon yesterday (Sunday) - one of the highlights of the UCI Cycling World Championships.
But, after almost six hours in the saddle in a race where competitors were pushed to their physical limits over an energy-sapping 100-kilometre course, the Peebles mountain biker collapsed to the ground to reflect on the result.
The 26-year-old admitted to having some frustration at having finished 45 minutes behind the elite women's winner, Mona Mitterwallner of Austria. But, with the XC Olympic and Relay events still to come later in the week, the two-times Commonwealth Games athlete remains upbeat.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, Isla - pictured with a Saltire on her cheek - said: "It was so good. The support for me on course was amazing. I'm not disappointed because I did the best I could, and that's all I can ask for. It was an amazing day, I knew it would be, and I'm super happy.
"In Innerleithen, on Angry Sheep - which is one of my favourite trails in the whole (Tweed) valley - there was such a big crowd there for me and it just warmed my heart; and then dropping into the arena at the end there and seeing some friendly faces, which I really needed, was really special as well.
"This is going to be probably one of the biggest weeks of my career, regardless of the results. And to have everyone here that's seen me grow up and progress, means everything."
The race started at Traquair House - Scotland's oldest continually inhabited house - and followed a route over the Southern Upland Way to the Three Brethren, before returning to Innerleithen and on to Glentress through Yair, Elibank and Caberston forests.
Henrique Avancini, who became the first Brazilian rider in MTB history to win a world title with his victory in the event in 2018, was first home in the elite men's event.
Finishing eight minutes behind in 20th place, was a mud-splattered Matthew Beers from South Africa, who we caught sheltering under a tree.
"We're not used to these conditions," he told us. "Scotland is quite damp. But it's definitely one of the most beautiful places we've ever ridden. It feels a bit like we're in a movie."
Elsewhere, Denholm's Phoebe Gale finished fifth in the elite women's downhill event at Fort William.
There are both free and ticketed events at Glentress, where a Hollywood-type sign has been installed at the finish. A programme of Fringe events has also been launched. To find out more, visit https://www.glentress2023.com
And concerns over Park and Ride facilities have eased with Scottish Borders Council confirming shuttle buses are running to the event from both Peebles and Innerleithen.
Have you been listening to Greatest Hits Radio? In the last few days, we've heard from Anna McGorum and Corran Carrick-Anderson, who are among ten local riders taking part in the massive cycling showcase; Nick Tanner, who runs Bspoke Cycles in Peebles, also told us he's been recruited by Team Mauritius after the East African athletes apparently arrived without a support team; we caught up with former Tweeddale Citizen of the Year John Falla, from local floral group Bonnie Peebles Plus, as he spruced up the entrances to town with some bike-themed displays, to help our visitors feel at home; and Tom Hamilton from Tweed Valley Camping told us about a pop-up camp site he has set-up on the family farm between Innerleithen and Walkerburn to help accommodate everyone.
For more stories from the Scottish Borders and North Northumberland, bookmark our new home page - https://planetradio.co.uk/greatest-hits/borders/news/