Cory Wallace wins 24-Hour Worlds in Fort William
Canadian defends his title at WEMBO championship event in Scotland
Through proper Scottish weather, nearly 20 hours of rain over 24 hours, Cory Wallace defended his Solo 24 Hour World Championships title in Fort William, Scotland.
Wallace rode 27 laps of the WEMBO Solo 24 Hour course in Scotland’s Nevis Range to beat American Taylor Lideen (Pivot Cycles / Industry Nine / Maxxis) by 1 full lap. It had been a close battle until the end, though, with Wallace holding a narrow, nine minute advantage at the 22 hour mark. Steve Day (Travers Bikes) of England was third, two laps behind Wallace.
With the win in Fort William, Wallace defends his 24-hour world champion title first earned in Finale Ligure, Italy in 2017.
American Kaitlyn Bovard (Pivot Cycles / Industry Nine) won the Solo Women’s 24 Hour world championship. She finished 1 hour 41 minutes ahead of Australia’s Kate Penglase. Italy’s Gaia Ravaioli was another 23 minutes behind, with all three finishing 20 laps of the course.
In addition to Wallace, three other Canadian’s contested the world championship event. Dennis Smaggus (Team CPP) won the Solo 60-64 category 15 laps of the course. Julie Kelly (Specialized Canada) finished fifth in elite women. Andrew Bovard (Deadgoat Racing) was 22nd overall, and third in men’s 40-44.
Full results from 2018 Solo 24 Hour World Championships in Fort William, Scotland can be found here.
No Fuss events hosted the Fort William race, using the venue where they hold the annual 24hr Relentless event.
2019 Solo 24 Hour World Championships take place in Costa Rica, Brazil on 27-28 July. The event is run by World Endurance Mountain Bike Organization (WEMBO)