Youth cycling back in focus
THE first youth open road cycling race held in Sligo in many years took place recently, Promoting club Yeats Country pulled out all the stops to revive the youth scene in Sligo, Michael Devins race director in particular has a keen interest in promoting underage racing, being one of the most successful cyclists in Connacht for many years he is now sowing the seed for not only his own racing prodigies in the family but the growing number of youth riders in Yeats Country CC and other clubs locally. The racing used a local 6km loop anchored on the junction at Carraroe. Racing was fast and furious, riders from as far as Ballymoney CC and Errigal CC made the trip down knowing that a bounty of prizes was up for grabs thanks to local company Sleater & Co Electrical and Automation who stepped up to the mark and sponsored the racing for the day. Molly Fultons provided facilities for the riders and their parents and also assisted with the post race food. The club is now looking to extend its race programme for 2018.
Results: U12: 1st - Darragh Higgins, Galway Bay, 2nd - Caolan McHugh, Four Masters, 3rd - Simon Foy, Westport Covey Wheelers, 4th - Marcus Devins, Yeats Country, 5th - Diarmuid Gallagher, Yeats Country
U14: 1st - Darren Foy, Westport Covey Wheelers, 2nd - Ciaran McGettigan, Errigal, 3rd - Adam McGeever, AAA Cycling, 4th - Rory Gallagher, Castlebar, 5th - Diarmuid Gallagher, Lakeside Wheelers.
U16: 1st - Shay Donley, Ballymoney, 2nd - Cathal Gallagher, Errigal, 3rd - Keith Mulroy, Westport Covey Wheelers, 4th - Oisin Doherty, AAA Cycling, 5th - Dylan Traynor, AAA Cycling. THIS Sunday’s Lough Key Classic Cycling Sportive is taking place in Boyle. Organised by local cycling club – Curlieu Wheelers - the event will cover three distances – 115k for the more experienced cyclist, 70k for those who like a challenge and a new 33k distance. New routes have been introduced with all 115k and 70k distances taking in a figure of eight loop with the food stop in King House in Boyle town centre. The Lough Key Classic is a recognised Cycling Ireland sportive and is open to those aged over 18 or to under 18s who hold a Cycling Ireland junior licence. Participants can register at the Sports Complex in Abbey Community College in Boyle on Saturday from 5pm on Sunday from 7am - 8.45am.