Inter-Regional Youth Championships

Story Posted May 14, 2010

British Cycling Announces 2010 Road and Track Inter-Region Championships

Following the huge success of the inaugural Inter-Regional Youth Track Championships in 2009, British Cycling will be holding two Inter-Regional Championships in 2010.

-- The Inter-Regional Road Championship will take place in Newcastle as part of the UK School Games from the 3rd to the 5th September. It will involve races for both individuals and teams in road based events: Time Trial, Criterium and Road Racing.

-- The Inter-Regional Track Championship will take place in Newport (Wales) as a partner event of the UK School Games from the 17th to the 19th September. As last year, there will be a full World Championship programme of events: Sprint, Keirin, Time Trial, Scratch, Points, Pursuit, Madison, Team Sprint and Team Pursuit.

Backed by the Youth Sport Trust and National Lottery, the UK School Games is a multi-million pound sporting event; very similar to that of a Youth Olympic Games complete with opening/closing ceremonies.

2010 sees Road championships added to the programme

Around 2,500 young athletes will stay together in an athletes village, be mentored by Olympic Champions, and compete for their regions across 10 different Olympic disciplines. The cycling events will be contested between teams of Youth riders from British Cycling’s 10 English Regions, Scotland, Ulster and Wales.

Gary Coltman, Performance Manager of British Cycling's Olympic Talent Programme "After the fantastic success of last years Inter-Regional Track Championships held as part of the UK School Games, I am really excited that we are not only going to stage the event once again in 2010, but we are introducing an equivalent road event that shall take place as part of the UKSG's."

"The UKSG's is a fantastic platform on which to launch such an event and both events are now very important for Youth cyclists across the UK who are already working hard towards qualifying for their regional team for one or both events. This is fantastically positive - not only for the development of the young talent throughout the UK, but also for developing Team Managers and coaches who will work hard with their respective teams to ensure a successful and rewarding experience for all”.

George Gilbert, event organiser, explained "In the build up to the 2012 Olympics, it is vital that we capitalise on the growth in our sport and public interest in cycling. It is a great testament to the strength and depth of talent of the riders and all the hard work that was put in by the officials, team staff and other volunteers that last years Inter-Regional Championships was such a success."

"As a result, cycling has been included in the UK School Games again this year giving us another opportunity to showcase our sport. By expanding the event to hold Inter-Regional Championships for both Road and Track, we can provide an even stronger focal point for the development of youth racing in each region and an inspiration for all young riders across the country."

Youth riders at speed on the boards.

Dave Brailsford, Performance Director, British Cycling says "Track cycling was a big success at the UKSG when it appeared as a demonstration sport in 2009, so it's great news that cycling now features as one of the eleven permanent sports for the 2010 event. The inclusion of a multi-day road event is an exciting opportunity and, together with the now established Inter Regional Track Championships, will provide great inspiration and challenges for the youth cyclists in the UK - something which is key to the development of our talented young athletes." 

Ian Drake, CEO, British Cycling: "In 2009 the UK School Games offered track cycling an opportunity to showcase itself and helped create an Inter-Regional Championship that has now become a permanent fixture in our major events calendar. It is really exciting that cycling is now one of the permanent sports within the UK School Games, once again giving us a fantastic opportunity to create an Inter-Regional Championship, this time for the road. Having these two major championship events for talented youngsters to represent their regions at is a very positive development which will help the sport, and talent within it, grow and flourish."

Youth riders who are interested in taking part should apply to their Region for details about the selection process. Contact details for each Region are as follows:

Central                Road: Keith Wilmot (Kwilmot@aol.com)
                             Track: Andrew Pitt (pitt_andrew@yahoo.co.uk)

East Midlands  Road: Graeme Waters (muddygraeme@btinternet.com)
                           Track: Richard Thoday (rthoday@uwclub.net)

Eastern             Adrian Trott (adrian.trott@ntlworld.com)

North East        Dan Smith (daniel.smith@velo29.com)

North West       Road: Gary Sadler Gary.Sadler@cumbria.police.uk
                           Track: Barry Warriner barrywarriner@blueyonder.co.uk


Scotland           Road: Brynley Davis (brynley.davies@mail.adsl4less.com)
                           Track: Scott Couch (Scott.Couch@ed.ac.uk)

South                 Susan Knight (treasurer.bcsouth@googlemail.com)

South East       Geoff Hodgson (secretary.bcse@btinternet.com)

South West       Road: Fiona Telfer Brunton (roo32@hotmail.com)
                           Track: Jake Durrant (wigga_17@hotmail.com)

Ulster                 Anthony Mitchell (sportsprint.mitch@btinternet.com)

Wales                 Road: Ben Simmons (bensimmons86@googlemail.com)
                            Track: David Finn (mickey43finn@yahoo.co.uk)

West Midlands Road: Robin Fox (robinfox@blueyonder.co.uk)
                            Track: Mick Davies (medavies@talktalk.net)
 
Yorkshire            Mark Barry (mbcycling@hotmail.co.uk)

For further information about the UK School Games visit http://www.ukschoolgames.com