The UK’s top young cycling talent will head to Perth on Saturday (6 April) to gear up for the first stage of the ScottishPower National Youth Racing Series – the Youth Tour of Scotland.

The event will be the first under the banner of the new ScottishPower National Youth Racing Series and will showcase the country’s best young cycling talent with around 150 riders from all over the UK expected to compete.

Stretching over three days (6-8 April), the event will kick off in the village of Forteviot in Perthshire on Saturday with a range of events for both boys and girls in the under 16 age group.

ScottishPower has committed a six-figure investment in the future of Scottish Cycling making it the largest ever sponsor of youth cycling in Scotland, complementing the company’s commitment to supporting home-grown talent and improving the quality of outdoor facilities available throughout the country.

Hoping to inspire a new generation of riders, Neil Clitheroe, CEO of Retail and Generation at ScottishPower, said: “We hope that our sponsorship will help to nurture and develop Scotland’s young cycling talent across all disciplines.

“This weekend’s road race in Perth launches an exciting series of cycling events that will not only attract top talent and thousands of enthusiasts but will cement its reputation as being a great family-friendly day out.  We hope that our support will enable the organisers to deliver a weekend of outstanding sporting competition.”

Craig Burn, Chief Executive of Scottish Cycling, said: “Throughout the three days of competition, we will be able to give our young athletes from throughout the UK and Ireland the chance to showcase their talents in a safe, closed road environment, and give riders the chance to compete for six different jerseys. 

“During the ScottishPower National Youth Racing Series, our development officer will be able to support event organisers and volunteers to put on the highest quality competition opportunities for youngsters throughout the season and give our best young riders the opportunity to develop their talent regionally.

“Scottish Cycling would like to thank everyone that has helped put on this fantastic event. Thanks must also go to Perth & Kinross Council for allowing us to deliver a race that I have no doubt will be exciting for both riders and spectators alike.”

As a direct result of the ScottishPower sponsorship, Scottish Cycling will nurture the potential Olympic and Commonwealth medallists of the future through the ScottishPower National Youth Racing Series and employ a dedicated development officer to run the programme. This will provide some of Scotland’s most talented young riders, aged 8 - 16 years, with access to multi-discipline regional level racing throughout Scotland.
 

Admission to the Youth Tour of Scotland is free of charge. Stage details are as follows:

Saturday 6 April: Forteviot Road Race
11.30am - 1pm: Girls Stage 1
1.15pm - 3pm: Boys Stage 1

Sunday 7 April: Perth City Centre Criterium & Strathallan Time Trial
9am - 9.40am: Girls Stage 2
10am - 10.50am: Boys Stage 2
3.30pm - 3.55pm: Girls Stage 3
4pm - 5.15pm: Boys Stage 3

Monday 8 April: Strathallan Kermesse
9.30am - 10.30am: Girls Stage 4
11am - 12.15pm: Boys Stage 4
2pm - 2.30pm: Prize & Jersey presentation