Over 6,000 cyclists set a new attendance record at the iconic 106 kilometre Etape Loch Ness in Scotland on Saturday, but it was teamates Scott Davidson and Andrew MacRae making history, for the first time ever the event ended in a tie.

The Moray Firth Cycling Club (MFCC) teammates both sprinted crossed the finish line in a time of 2:46:04 to share victory and the fastest rider honors.

Just one second later, two more MFCC teamates, Darren Dean and Richie Sim, racing for the final podium spot finished in a tie for third place.

30 year-old Catriona Lockie, riding for Torvelo Cycling Club, was the fastest woman, finishing in 2:58:12, over four minutes in front of Lynne Cordiner (3.02.00) and Natalie Munro (3:03:54).

Andy Cunningham repeated as King of the Mountain champion, clocking a time of 19:35 on the the 9km KOM climb with 380 meters of vertical gain and gradients up to a leg-breaking 12%. 

Entries for 2022 sold out in 36 hours and surpassed the previous record set in 2019 when 5600 riders signed up. Almost 30% of the participants came from outside Scotland, with some traveling from as far away as France, Australia, Chile and the United Arab Emirates.

Event organizer director Malcolm Sutherland was thrilled with the results and told the Inverness Courier, ”The Etape Loch Ness is back in its usual spot after being delayed in 2021 until August. And it’s back with a bang with a record number of people signing up.”

Full Etape Loch Ness results HERE.

Photos: C. Mackay, Etape Loch Ness