Cycling: McCallum pedals his way to Criterium victory in Paisley

Capital cyclist James 
McCallum lived up to his billing as pre-race favourite when he sprinted to victory in 
yesterday’s Scottish Criterium Championships in Paisley.

The 33-year-old Rapha 
Condor-Sharp rider edged out his fellow Scotland internationalist Davie Lines of the West Lothian-based Pedal Power team and Andrew Whitehall, racing in the colours of Capital outfit, Velo Ecosse, to add the title to his victory in the Road Race Championships earlier in the season.

The women’s event produced an equally tight finale, with former City of Edinburgh rider Kayleigh Brogan showing the benefits of a summer racing on the continent with Team 
Ibis when she emulated 
McCallum’s feat by following up her road race success with a criterium win.

Brogan pipped Claire 
Thomas, who has spent the season with ASPTT Dijon in France, and youngster Louise Borthwick, now leading the charge for the new generation at Thomas’ previous team, 
Edinburgh Road Club.

Meanwhile, Capital riders Craig McCulloch (Velo Ecosse) and Ayrton Pellet (Edinburgh RC) chalked up podium finishes at the Battle of the Braes Road Race in Callander, but neither had the firepower to match Alain Ramirez, a 
visitor from the Basque country in Spain who came home five seconds clear.