Eight riders from the Wales Youth Programme contested the three day Youth Tour of Scotland, with four stages of racing.

Elynor Backstedt, Ella Barnwell, Amy Cole and Dani Parker rode in the girls competition, whilst Sam Beckett, Zach Bridges, James Codd and Owain Roberts competed in the boys events all supported by Welsh Cycling.

The event provides young riders with an invaluable learning experience, gaining independence as bike riders and competing in a team environment.

Stage one on Saturday morning was a 20 mile road stage for the youth women. Elynor Backstedt put in a strong performance to become the stage winner and claimed the Points, Queen of the Mountains and Leaders jersey with the girls team sitting top of the Team Classification. The boys completed 37 miles of racing, which saw Zach Bridges third on the stage, and the boys team also leading the Team Classification.

Both teams were able to plan for the race ahead, to protect their team standing and set targets for the weekend. The girls were planning to protect the yellow jersey, whilst the boys targeted time bonuses to elevate their position.

Day two saw the Team Time Trial and second road stage take place. The girls set off against the clock, completing the 4.3 mile circuit in St David’s. They finished 14 seconds ahead of Pedal Power RT, retaining their yellow jersey and their overall team position. The boys tested the same circuit, and finished just 1 second behind Ireland, but did enough to get Zach Bridges in to the yellow jersey for the third stage and protect their team positioning.

In the third stage, the girls kept it together, and although there wasn’t a stage win for the Welsh riders, the girls maintained their team positioning. Elynor Backstedt held on to the Leaders jersey as well as her Points jersey, and the team set out to defend her position in stage four.

The boys again, kept it together but there was a breakaway lead group by lap five. However, the group were swallowed up and the race came down to a final sprint. They kept Bridges in the yellow jersey and were set to defend it in the final stage, Forgandenny Kermesse.

With clear aims, both teams went in to the final stage with a plan and demonstrated their team work. Unfortunately, the boys were down to three riders with James Codd taken ill. However this didn’t deter them. The trio rode well together, and finished second in the team competition despite losing a rider. Zach Bridges lost his yellow jersey to Alfie George SC North East, finishing 3^rd overall.

The quartet of girls executed their plan on stage four, retaining the yellow jersey with Elynor Backstedt winning the overall General Classification. Together, the girls also held on to their Team Classification for all four stages, and gained podiums in each of the jersey competitions.

Whilst getting positive results over the weekend, all eight riders developed and progressed in each stage. They put into practice their learning and achieved podium positions.

Results
Full results available from Scottish Cycling

Girls

General Classification

1^st Elynor Backstedt
3^rd Amy Cole
15^th Dani Parker
20^th Ella Barnwell

Team Classification
1^st Team Wales
2^nd Pedal Power RT
3^rd BC South

Points Classification
2^nd Elynor Backstedt
3^rd Amy Cole
13^th Dani Parker
15^th Ella Barnwell

Queen of the Mountains
2^nd Dani Parker
3^rd Elynor Backstedt

Boys

General Classification
3^rd Zach Bridges
5^th Owain Roberts
60^th Sam Beckett

Team Classification
1^st RL 360 Isle of Man A
2^nd Wales
3^rd Lichfield CCC

Points Classification
6^th Zach Bridges
7^th Owain Roberts

King of the Mountains
3^rd Zach Bridges
5^th Owain Roberts