Stirling University’s Elena Melton has been nominated for Female Rider of the Year at this year’s Scottish Mountain Bike Awards.
The awards are now into their second year – with the first Scottish Mountain Bike Awards held in Aviemore – and will this year be held in the Drygate Brewery in Glasgow.
Up for grabs are 13 awards ranging across the mountain biking scene. And they are not restricted to sports performance: there are awards for club of the year; best photograph; best event; and best accommodation provider.
At the top of the list are the awards for Female and Male Rider of the Year. Melton is nominated alongside Enduro World Series racer Katy Winton, World Cup cross-country rider Isla Short, and Scottish and National cross-country champion Jane Barr.
The winner will be decided by a public vote.
In a post on Instagram, Melton said: “I’m absolutely nowhere near the same level as these other incredible girls, but I feel so so privileged to have been nominated alongside them for Scottish Female Rider of the Year.
“It’s been an especially amazing year for Katy Winton and Isla Short, both conquering the World stage in Enduro and XC. They are two of the most hard working and determined women I know and it’s so awesome to see all the hard work finally paying off for them!
“Definitely inspirations of mine, and of a lot of younger girls coming up through the sport as well. Jane Barr has also had a fantastic season, winning both the Scottish and National XC series.”
The awards are hosted by Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBINS), whose project manager, Graeme McLean, said: “Mountain biking brings increased participation – helping us to become a happier and healthier country, sport development – giving Scots the opportunity to succeed on the world stage and tourism – which brings economic benefit, often to some of our more remote areas.
“These will highlight and celebrate examples of great practice in these three areas which will help Scotland maintain our reputation as one of the leading countries in the world for mountain biking.”
The awards are to be held on November 16, and Brig will be there to report on the result.
“It is worth ascending unexiting heights if for nothing else than to see the big ones from nearer their own level.” - Nan Shepherd
