The Etape Caledonia is well known for hosting stars, but this year it has helped create one.
Undeterred by taking part in his first sports event, an inspirational teenager recorded the best time on this year’s 81-mile route through Highland Perthshire.
Tom Arnstein crossed the finish line in Pitlochry after just three hours, 28 minutes and 32 seconds in the saddle less than a minute slower than the course record set by professional cyclist Evan Oliphant.
The 18-year-old, from Burntisland in Fife, revealed that he actually trained with the champion rider twice a week at Glasgow Velodrome and was looking forward to telling him he had stiff competition.
Photo Gallery: Etape Caledonia cycling (part 1)
He said: “I’m really pleased with my time, although I would have loved to have beaten Evan.
“I’m quite tempted to come back next year to see if I can overtake his record.”
Photo Gallery: Etape Caledonia cycling (part 2)
Tom, who races for Team ASL360, has his sights on taking part in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next year and hopes to set an impressive qualifying time by March.
And he was not the only star of the course Ashley Pearson smashed the women’s record by more than seven minutes, despite it being only her second time at the Etape Caledonia.
Photo Gallery: Etape Caledonia cycling (part 3)
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