Double success for Scottish teams in Irish stage race
Scottish Cycling youth teams scored two notable successes in the Mayo Youth Tour three-day event in the west of Ireland from July 31 to August 2. Facing competition from Ireland, England, Germany and the Isle of Man, Tom Arnstien won two stages and was the overall winner in the under 16s age group, while Louise Borthwick was the leading female rider in the under 14s event.
Overall honours go to Scotland, Munster and Isle of Man
A spectacular series of criteriums rounded off the Mayo Youth Tour today (Sunday) but when the dust had settled over Kiltimagh town centre the destiny of the yellow jerseys was unchanged, with all three overnight leaders successfully defending their positions.
The U16 title went to Scotland's Tom Arnstein who was in yellow right from day one. The double stage winner resisted late pressure from British Cycling Eastern Region to win overall by eight seconds from Eastern Region's Tao Geoghan Quinn, with Ireland's Robert Anderson third at 10 seconds.
Meanwhile, Louise Borthwick finished 17th in the overall mixed results and was the leading girl finisher, with Hannah Ferguson, Jenna Fenwick and Flora Gilles finishing 3rd, 4th and 5th respectively.
The criterium field of sixty five 14 to 16 year olds was diminished to just 19 for the final sprint which was won UK solo rider Luke Simpson of Leeds St Christophers.
At 45 minutes plus three laps of the 1.3km circuit, the criterium was a tough test for the contenders who were riding their fourth stage in three days.
Two provinces dominated the U14 category which ended with Munster's Michael O'Loughlin and Henry Cooke first and third overall respectively, while second-placed Darragh Long r of Leinster was the filling in the Munster sandwich
O'Loughlin's father, Martin, dropped out after two days of the Suir Valley Three day in order to see his son retain the maillot jaune by five seconds.
The formidable Isle of Man squad pulled off a remarkable feat when their riders Owen Dudley, Michael Moss, Sophie Black and Conor Davies filled the first four places on the criterium stage. Dudley and Moss were also first and second overall, while Leinster Adam Black broke the Manx blockade to take third spot in the podium.
With 155 starters from five nations and some hard fought racing, the second Mayo Youth Tour can be counted a success. Spectator numbers were markedly up on last year, and visiting teams are already talking about returning to Kiltimagh in 2011.
The Connacht Youth Cycling event is supported by Mayo/Roscommon Chapter of Credit Unions and Cycling Ireland.
For full results visit www.irishcycling.com
