Six cyclists are the latest addition to Team Scotland for the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad & Tobago this summer.
The concept of the Youth Games was created by Scotland in 2000 with the aim of developing young athletes and giving them an early experience of an international multi-sport environment. The event now has a proven track record of uncovering future champions at senior level, and it has been integral to the development of Commonwealth Games athletes, such as Scotland's s Grant Ferguson, Australia's Caleb Ewan and Wales' Elinor Barker.
All six of the cycling team were involved in international action earlier this year at the Next Generation Track Event in the Netherlands, against teams from all over Europe & North America. Sarah Johnson and Calum Moir (Zappi Junior RT) were gold medallists with the GB Team Sprint and Team Pursuit squads respectively, with Joe Cosgrove and Millie Thomson (Deeside Thistle) both recording top 10 finishes in individual events. Evie White (Alba Development RT) celebrates selection having lifted the Scottish Omnium title last month, with Elliot Rowe (Anexo Group RT), the 2022 British Youth Circuit champion also named for Trinbago.
On selection to the Team Scotland squad Edinburgh Road Club's Sarah Johnson said:
“Scottish Cycling has done so much for me so it will be lovely competiting in Team Scotland colours for the first time. Being selected has given me more confidence as a rider and make me more excited for what is to come.”
The track sprinter is keen to test herself against the best:
“I’m really looking forward to meeting new people from different countries and learning about different cultures. I’m looking to gain more experience and adjust to the challenges of racing abroad.
“I competed at the Future Track Stars event in Apeldoorn in January, which was my first international competition, so competing at the Youth Commonwealth Games will give more experience of racing at a high level.”
While road rider Joe Cosgrove (Anexo Group RT) is counting down the days to Trinidad, as he told Scottish Cycling:
“It’s a proud moment for me and my family to be selected to compete for Team Scotland, especially at this stage of my career. It will be a great experience for me, and I am really looking forward to it. My target this year was to settle into junior racing having made the step up, so it’s a great privilege to be selected for the Youth Commonwealth Games.
Chef de Mission, Chris Purdie, said, “I’m delighted to welcome our cyclists to Team Scotland. The Youth Games are an exciting first step into Commonwealth competition and provide the ideal platform for young athletes to develop and gain competition experience for future events. I would like to congratulate all of them on their selection and wish them every success at Trinbago 2023.”
The athletes, aged between 15-18 years old, will compete for Team Scotland alongside athletes from the five other sports on the Trinidad and Tobago programme: Rugby 7s, Beach Volleyball, Triathlon, Athletics, and Netball. Both Cycling and Swimming competition will take place on Trinidad.
Selected Athletes
Joe Cosgrove, 17 (Road)
Sarah Johnson, 17 (Track)
Calum Moir, 18 (Track)
Elliot Rowe, 17 (Road and Track)
Millie Thomson, 17 (Road and Track)
Evie White, 18 (Road)
