The Youth Tour of Scotland is now in its eighth year, and is a flagship event on the youth racing calendar in the UK. The best young riders in Britain, and further afield will be heading to Perthshire in April for four days of racing, and the event continues to grow in size and stature each year.

The Youth Tour of Scotland has been a stepping stone for some of Scotland’s most promising young cyclists, who have now firmly established themselves as elite riders both domestically and internationally.

With the 2019 Youth Tour of Scotland fast approaching, we spoke to the Central Girls Team to get an insight into their preparation leading up to Scotland’s biggest youth stage race.

Team Name: Central Girls

Team Members Names: Eva Callinan, Millie Couzens, Abby Old, Anna Wadsworth

Has the team taken part in the Youth Tour of Scotland (YTOS) before?

Central Girls: Millie and Abby have both been twice, Eva once and for Anna it is her first time as the event has always clashed with family commitments in previous years.

Which of the 4 stages is the team most looking forward to?

For Eva it’s Stage 1 as she likes the length of the hill and the fast finish.  Anna  is getting excited about the TTT as she has never done one before and is looking forward to racing with the team. Abby can’t wait for the Stage 4 road race, while Millie is eyeing up both Stages 1 and 4 with the hills and also to the more technical and tight course on the final stage. 

What are the teams ambitions for the event?

To do well in the team competition, work well in the TTT and use some good tactics, to enjoy the racing and hopefully also do well in the individual competition.

How will the team be preparing ahead of the event? 

The team are all training hard.  Millie and Anna have just been in Mallorca, doing some long hilly rides and are now identifying some local races for preparation.  Eva is wisely doing what she can to stay fit and healthy in the run up to the event. 

What is the team most looking forward to about YTOS?

Working together in the TTT and staying away as a team and racing with team mates.  We’re are also looking forward to some exciting and challenging racing and seeing how they get on as it is one of the first big events of the year.

What challenges does the team think YTOS will bring them? 

Coping with 4 stages in 3 days, especially the 'double day', staying away from home and the variety of courses which will challenge different strengths and weaknesses.

Quick Fire Questions

Favourite breakfast on race day?

Abby - big bowl of weetabix,

Eva - weetabix and fruit,

Millie - goes for the traditional porridge

Anna - peanut butter and banana on a bagel

Any special warm up routines? Basically variations on the British Cycling warmup, with some 'solid tunes' and time to focus on the race ahead.

Hilly or flat courses?  Millie loves the hills, Eva prefers hills as hillier races are more interesting, Anna thinks she does better on flat courses but has been practicing hill climbing and is hoping that she will enjoy hilly races just as much.  Abby definitely prefers it flat. 

Good luck to the Ulster Girls at the Youth Tour of Scotland!

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