Oliphant solid in US Queen of the Classics

Capital cyclist Evan Oliphant continued his solid start to the season with a top-20 finish in the gruelling Tour of the Battenkill in America.

The Scottish road race champion featured in a 153-strong field for the 200 kilometre event known as the US Queen of the Classics. The route in New York State featured ten off-road sections that took their toll, with only 59 riders reaching the finish.

Oliphant crossed the line in the day’s main group, taking 17th place behind the winner Francisco Mancebo, the veteran Spaniard who has two podium finishes in the Vuelta a Espana and a fourth place at the Tour de France to his credit.

Oliphant was one of only two riders from the six-man Team Raleigh squad to complete the event – the other being Englishman Liam Holohan.

Meanwhile, Edinburgh Falcons cycle speedway team posted the first win of their Northern League campaign when they saw off Yorkshire outfit Heckmondwike by 86 points to 63 at Redbraes Park. Falcons, who had lost narrowly away to Hull in their opening league match, bounced back in some style with six riders in the eight-man Capital team reaching double figures.