AN EVENT hosted by a West Fife-based cycle speedway club has been shortlisted for a national accolade.

The best of cycling in Scotland will be celebrated on Saturday night when the 2022 Scottish Cycling Conference and Awards takes place and Fife Cycle Speedway will be part of it.

They are one of three nominees to have been put forward in the 'Event of the Year' category, having held the 'Home International' competition at their custom-built track, located within the grounds of Queen Anne High School.

Opened in 2016, the ExxonMobil-sponsored 'Fastbowl' is the home of the club's Fife Revolutions teams and it welcomed competitors from England, Wales and Ireland to race against each other, and those representing Scotland.

Supported by Babcock International and Scottish Cycling, it had been due to take place in 2020 but was cancelled due to COVID-19.

Around 300 spectators attended throughout the day to watch four matches, featuring 10 Fife Revolutions riders, and they were treated to high-class action that saw the track record broken on three separate occasions.

Craig Masson, the club's head coach, described it at the time as a "success for the club" and "for speedway north of the border", while Dunfermline MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville, who opened the event, added that she hoped that "more competitions can be brought to Dunfermline in future".

Highlighting the event's nomination, Scottish Cycling stated: "The Cycle Speedway Home International was hosted by Fife Cycle Speedway for the first time in a decade.

"It was significant for the club as it recognised all the good work and progress that has been made by the club since its establishment in 2016. The event showcased the best riders in the UK participating across four categories – Women, Juniors, Veterans and Seniors. This was evident as the track record was broken four times on the day in front of 300 spectators.

"The club has gone from strength to strength with increased sponsorship and membership in the period since."

The event run by the club, which field teams in the sport's British Cycling North and Scotland leagues, has been put forward alongside the Scottish National Criterium Championships and Aberdeen Cycling Festival, and the British National CX Trophy, an event in Cyclocross, held in Falkirk, for the award.

Prizes in nine categories will be presented, including Male Rider of the Year and Female Rider of the Year.

In the latter category, Katie Archibald, a patron of Fife Cycle Speedway, and the partner of late Dunfermline cyclist Rab Wardell, has been nominated alongside Neah Evans and Anna Shackley.

The awards are scheduled to take place at Hampden Park in Glasgow.