Inverness cyclist breaks record as she is crowned fastest woman at Etape Loch Ness for first time in her career
Inverness cyclist Martha Gates has been crowned the fastest woman at Etape Loch Ness for the first time in her career as she set a new women’s record.
The Moray Firth Cycling Club cyclist set the fastest time ever recorded by a woman at the 66-mile sportive when she completed the course in a time of two hours 54 minutes and 58 seconds in Inverness on Sunday.
She had finished in second place in 2023 and 2024 before landing the title this year.
Holly Andrews from St Helier in the Channel Islands finished in second place in a time of 3:04:36 with Oonagh Thin from Inverness third in 3:07:58.
Gates (39) who works as a podiatrist with the NHS, says that she was determined to go one better than in the previous two years and be crowned fastest woman.
Speaking about breaking the record, she said: “I guess I had a bit of an idea coming towards the end that I might be close to it, but I didn’t expect it.
“I didn’t expect to go as quick as I did today, but all of the times have been super fast.
“I thought I might be on for a podium, but I never like to expect that I will be the fastest.
“I have come second two years-in-a-row and there are a lot of strong girls based in the Highlands.
“I don’t think that I was shy in telling anyone that I wanted to come first so I was delighted.”
Gates said conditions were excellent as she enjoyed powering her way through the 66-mile course.
“It was windy on the way out, but you are not aware of it when you are tucked in as a group.
“There was good tailwind on the way back.
“The climb was my favourite part of the course. I am not the best climber out there, but you can get into your own rhythm when you are cycling in a group and you are trying to hang on with surges.
“When you get to the climb you can get into your own world of pain.”
Gates first took part in Etape Loch Ness four years ago saying it was the reason why she got involved in cycling in the first place.
She says that she does plan to return next year and while not committing to going for a second fastest woman’s title, says that she will give it consideration in 12 months time.
She said: “This is my fifth time taking part and it is the reason that I started cycling.
“I decided to do the 2020 edition but lockdown happened. The first year that I did it was in August 2021 but it is the reason that I started cycling so it is nice to have won it now.
“It is such a good thing to have on our doorstep, I will imagine I will come back, but I don’t know if I will race it again. But I love racing so I probably will.”
Alan Dean became the fastest man in the history of Etape Loch Ness as he set a new course record on Sunday.
The 41-year-old from Edinburgh completed the 66-mile Sportive in a record time of two hours 39 minutes and 48 seconds.
It is the first time any cyclist has completed the course in under two hours and 40 minutes.
He broke the previous record of 2:42:57 which was set by Andy Cunningham from Leeds in 2022.
Three-time champion Cunningham was the second fastest man this year with a time of 2:40:01 with Gavin Dempster from Inverness, who was fastest man in 2023, taking third place in 2:40:48.
Cunningham claimed the King of the Mountain title for the fastest man on a 7.72 km stage which climb gaining 380 metres in height with a gradient reaching 12 per cent at points.
The Etape Loch Ness is Scotland’s largest closed road cycle sportive taking place 66 miles (106 km) on traffic free roads.
