The Youth Tour of Scotland is a four day stage race around beautiful Perthshire between 6th-9th April. The event is in it’s seventh year, hosting 20 Boys teams and, for the first time ever, 20 Girls teams from all over the UK and Europe.
Keep up to date with startlists, results and reports all weekend here...
Girls, 10:15: 5 laps (33km)
Boys, 12:45: 9 laps (60km)
Welsh Wonder Women
The morning of Stage 1 of the Scottish Cycling Youth Tour of Scotland dawned with bright skies and snow still sitting on the surrounding hills, a reminder of last weeks weather.
Our largest ever girls field set off and after a nervous neutralised lap, the racing was underway. Jenny Holl, Youth Tour of Scotland Alumni and GB Development Rider kept spectators informed at the start finish area with fantastic commentary.
The hill on the first lap did some serious damage to the bunch, breaking up the group out quickly. As in the 2017 race, Wales put on a good showing with Emma Finucane, 2017 British Crit Champion pulling on the front and leaving the peloton very strung out.
The red spotted jersey of the Queen of the Mountains was won by Zoe Backstedt (Wales), Millie Couzens (BC Central) second and Eva Young (SC West) third.
Having dominated the whole race, Wales will be going into tomorrows Team Time Trial in the red Team jersey following Emma Finucane’s win and Eluned King taking second. Eva Young (Scottish Cycling West) claimed the third step on the podium.
The all important Youth Tour of Scotland Scottish blue jersey podium was won by Eva Young (SC West), Morven Yeomen (SC South West Comp) in second and previous winner of the jersey in 2017 Imani Pereira James (SC West) third.
The Peter Clark Award, given to the rider who showed the most grit and determination throughout the race was given to Grace Lister (BC West Midlands).
A Dominant Display
The Boys race set off at a fast pace with riders jostling for position and battling for the best wheel. The early sprint was won by Jamie Johnston (SC West) but it was an early attack by Yorkshire BC set up a group of 6 who established a lead of 1 minute 20 seconds. Meanwhile, a big chase group fought hard to bring them back.
With 7 gruelling laps to go, the break had to put in a long shift to maintain their advantage but they persevered picking up the KOM points on their way.
Despite his best efforts, Mathew Kingston of Lichfield CC was dropped from the break on the last lap. His determination was rewarded at the prize giving, where he received the Peter Clarke Award. This left Yorkshire to take the 1/2/3 – Joe taking the win and the yellow Leaders jersey with Max and Fin in second and third respectively.
Speaking after the race the boys said “We didn’t really have a plan, only to ride hard and smash it.”
Ex pro and Scottish Cycling Coach Evan Oliphant commentated “the Yorkshire CC Team were a tactical masterclass, jumping clear on the hill on the last lap and riding the Lichfield CC rider of their wheel, it was the ideal scenario.”
Winning the blue jersey was Scot Jamie Johnston (Scottish Cycling West), followed by Oscar Onley (Scottish Cycling East & Central) and Daniel Kain (Scottish Cycling North East) in third.
Scottish Cycling was pleased to welcome Police Inspector Kevin Chase from Perth and Kinross, Provost Denis Melloy, Community Councillor Diana Roth and our President Tom Bishop to present the prizes for Stage 1.
The Youth Tour of Scotland continues tomorrow at St. David’s, Madderty with a Team Time Trial and Road Race.
Stage 2: St David's Time Trial
Team Order List: Girls Boys | Results: Girls Boys
Girls: 1 lap (6.9km circuit)
Boys: 1 lap (6.9km circuit)
The Youth Tour of Scotland continues this afternoon at St. David’s, Madderty with a Road Race.
#YTOS2018
Rider List: Girls Boys | Results: Girls Boys
Girls: 5 laps (34.5km)
Boys: 9 laps (62km)
The Youth Tour of Scotland headed to St. David’s near Madderty for Stage 2, a Team Team Trial and Stage 3, a Road Race. The community provided exceptional teas and home baking and spectators were met with picturesque views of the Perthshire countryside.
Brilliant Breakaway
From the flag drop the pace was hot and the bunch strung out quickly. Zoe Backstedt (Wales) and Eve Barrow (BC North West) worked together to form a breakaway and quickly gained a 36 second lead on a determined chasing bunch. The pair secured the QOMs and fought off the pursuing peloton for the remaining laps.
Going into tomorrows final stage, Zoe Backstedt (Wales) wears the yellow leaders jersey, with Eve Barrow (BC North West) second and Emma Finucane (Wales) third.
Team Wales continued to hold onto their winning team title – and will be in the red jersey’s going into the final race.
Top Scot was Eve Young (SC West) and Emma Finucane holds onto the Points prize for another day.
The Peter Clark Memorial Award for Stage 3 Girls went to Amy Cole from Wales who had a mechanical followed by a bike change and battled on to only finish one lap down.
Light Up the Peloton
The roads of St David’s were on fire as the boys race burned through the country lanes. It was an epic race with constant attacks attempting to go clear and the bunch reeling them back. This constant assault on the peloton led to riders being shelled early on.
Chief Commissaire Paul Mullen was thrilled with how the boys race went, “it was great to see the peloton being so active, a fantastic example of cat and mouse with breaks trying and the peloton responding.”
With just 3 laps to go, 5 riders eventually managed to get a gap and work together. Matthew Kingston (Lichfield CCC) won in an brilliant sprint to win the stage. Max Poole (BC Yorkshire) and Adam Michell (Sportcity Velo) following.
The King of the Mountain will be worn going into tomorrows stage by Fin Pickering (BC Yorkshire), with Emile Alexander (Lichfield CCC) and Max Poole (BC Yorkshire) sitting second and third.
General Classification remains in the hands of BC Yorkshire for another day. Lichfield CCC may have won Stage 3 Team, but BC Yorkshire will retain their red leaders jersey’s going into tomorrows fast and furious final stage, the Forgandenny Kermesse. Alex Gibb (SC East & Central) wears the blue Scottish jersey and Matthew Kingston (Lichfield CCC) dominates the Points competition.
The Youth Tour of Scotland continues tomorrow at Strathallan for the forth and final stage, a Kermesse.
Rider List: Girls Boys | Results: Girls Boys
Girls: 10 laps (25.5km)
Boys: 16 laps (41km)
Wales Reigns Supreme
10 laps of the Kermesse was what was in store for the girls on the final day of racing at the Youth Tour of Scotland with it’s short, narrow circuit. The steep hill, averaging 11% served as an early selection for the peloton but all the leaders stayed up front marking each other. The pace was quick, with the first lap being within seconds of the lap record.
Spectators enjoyed a thrilling race from start to finish. All riders put in an incredible effort as they were cheered up the hill and worked to close gaps on the decents.
Winning in spectacular fashion was Eluned King (Wales), Imani Pereira James (SC South West) second and the third spot on the podium was taken by Sophie Lewis (BC Eastern).
Zoe Backstedt (Team Wales) retained the general GC lead while also winning the Points competition, and the QOM proving she really is a triple threat. Wales continued their command over the Team competition for the second year in a row.
Scottish riders Imani Pereira James (SC South West), Morven Yeoman (Scottish Cycling South West) and Eilidh Shaw (SC West) were top 3 in the Stage and also make up the podium for the Scottish rider competition.
The honour of the Peter Clarke award was given to Clara Rock (Scott Orwell Wheelers) who showed brilliant resolve and determination, completing the race despite falling off the pace early on.
Overall, the standard of girls racing has improved massively. Every rider raced their heart out, sprinting for the line regardless of position. The future of female racing looks very promising.
The Manx Marvel
The final stage of the Youth Tour of Scotland promised to be eventful and it did not disappoint. The boys set an aggressive pace from the second the flag dropped and several crashes ensued. The lead bunch battered round the course, bunny hopping speed bumps and taking corners at a pace testing their bike handling skills.
The stage was won by Willian Corkill (RL360 Isle of Man), second was Ben Bright and Daniel Barnes (Lichfield CCC) third. Wales took the Team stage win and Corrin Leeming (RL360 Isle of Man) was given the Peter Clarke award after crashing badly early on and battling on despite cuts and bruises to finish a respectable well up the standings.
The overall General Classification was won by Max Poole, Points by Matthew Kingston (Lichfield CCC) and KOM by William Corkhill (RL360 Isle of Man). The overall winner of the blue Scottish jersey was Oscar Onley (SC East &Central) Boys Team award went to BC Yorkshire having shown dominance throughout the three days of racing.
The final prizes of The Youth Tour of Scotland were presented by Perth’s Provost Provost Dennis Melloy, Tracy Pattinson from Strathallan School, and Audrey Sime, Director of Sport at Strathallan.
Scottish Cycling would like to thank Bridge of Earn Community Council of Forteviot and of Forgandenny for their wonderful hospitality. St. David’s Village also for being so welcoming – and an overall thank you to Perth and Kinross Council.
We would also like to extend thanks to all of the staff at Strathallan School and our volunteers and officials; the Youth Tour of Scotland would not happen without them.
#TeamBehindtheTeam
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