Ten members of our Youth Squad made a great impression at the Isle of Man Youth Tour last bank holiday weekend.

The tour is part of the British National Series and is a beacon for all young cyclists around Britain. Known for its toughness and intensity it is a three stage series.

The Friday evening Prologue was a 1.29k time trial along a section of Douglas Promenade in which all 250 competitors took part. Conditions were dry but a fierce headwind on the outward section meant no records were to be broken on the night.

Saturday’s stage was a very tough closed circuit race (7.25k) around Glen Vine and Braaid. Again conditions were dry and hot but the wind made the usually fast 1.5k descent from Braaid to Glen Vine hard work for all riders. At the bottom of this descent riders were confronted with a sharp left hand bend and an immediately tough 20% climb for 0.8k up Ellerslie, shortly after which another sudden but longer climb of 2k by 7% up The Garth towards Foxdale had to be engaged. The finish line was located at the top of the Ellerslie hill climb which meant riders had to seriously pace themselves for what sprint was left in them for the last 30 metres.

Sunday’s last stage was at the National Sports Centre at Quarterbridge just outside Douglas around the purpose built 0.8k track.

In the U10 category debutante Thomas Ford completed the time trial (TT) in 2mins.21secs; came home 12th in stage two; and rode a brilliant race in no-man’s behind the lead group for 10 laps in the final stage to gain 13th place. He finished 13th overall in the General Classification (GC)

Brother Jack posted 2.15 for the TT in the U12’s; rode a valiant race to get 15th in stage two; and held on to 24th place in the finale – giving him 20th overall in the GC. In the same category Nicholas Farquhar posted 2.35 in the TT; got 26th in stage two; and finished 27th in the finale – giving him 27th overall. And in the girls U12’s debutante Hermione Cullaigh posted 2.40 for the TT; came 7th in both stages two and three and finished overall 7th.

In the U14 girls Amira Mellor and Lucy Farquhar had great success in a very tough field. Amira posted 2.07 in the TT; got a very creditable 8th in the gruelling stage two; and rode a very intelligent race throughout stage three to gain 9th – giving her 8th in the GC. Lucy also rode bravely throughout the tour: posting 2.15 in the TT; getting 11th in stage two; and finishing 15th in stage three – giving her overall 13th position in the GC. Joe Williams and Andrew Farquhar had mixed fortunes in the U14 boys. Joe posted 2.26 in the TT; got 31st in stage two; and found himself off the back of the chase group in the last stage to finish 31st – giving him 39th in the GC. Andrew posted 2.31 in the TT; finished 32nd in both stage two and three – giving him 32nd in the GC.

Gabz Cullaigh was the only HVW in the boys U16, but was up against ex-wheelers Leon Gledhill and Jacob Scott, both of whom now ride for Planet X. He posted 1.58 in the TT, 8 seconds behind Leon and 9 behind Jacob. Jake Ragan (British Cycling North West Region) won this event with a time of 1.45. In stage two Gabz had to learn a very valuable lesson in competitive cycling… when it is not your day, it is not your day! Despite looking very strong going into the second lap, particularly in his second ascent up Ellerslie, his chain came off twice in successive laps at the start of the long climb up The Garth. He then made the mistake of trying too hard to make up lost ground on an unforgiving circuit and had to be content with 48th position at the finish. This meant he failed to make the cut for the A race in stage three but, tomorrow is always another day and he rode a very intelligent race to finish in 8th place – giving him 34th in the GC.

Sophie Williams was the only HVW in the girls U16. She got off to a great start in the TT and posted 2.30. In stage two she found herself off the back of the main chase group for most of the race and despite a brave finish all the way up Ellerslie she had to be content with 15th position. Similarly in stage three she found herself off the back of the peloton and was unable to make ground in the final lap. Nonetheless she finished 16th in the GC.

Very well done everybody. Excellent effort. You all did Holme Valley Wheelers proud and are a credit to the club. I would travel anywhere with every one of you!!!!

John Cullaigh