the Isle of Man with International Cycling week which started in 1935 and attracted the biggest names in cycling from Europe. Sadly International Cycling week is no more but we do have a very successful Youth Tour which is growing all the time.
and various other tasks. There’s no showbiz with what they do, they are just there to make the racing safe. No helpers, no racing, it’s as simple as that. People come on a Tuesday night having done it for years, I couldn’t do it without them.
“Other than that, apart from being rained off, we have been there every Tuesday night, no matter what,” said Dot.
“ So.....What makes Manx Cycling tick? A mixture of all the above and more!”
Peter Kennaugh
“We have never shirked from doing the best races in the UK, we have set our goals high. We have some horrendous boat journeys, arrive late at the digs and then ask the riders to get up at 6.30am to prepare to race in all weathers. You have to be dedicated to do that. We encourage all abilities because you might not have natural ability but a have great work ethic and if you want to do it you can do it. We are open to everyone. “The more experienced young riders occasionally go out training with Peter Kennaugh, Mark Cavendish, Johnny Bellis, Mark Christian, and (MotoGP star and Ramsey resident) Cal Crutchlow when they pay a visit home. Afterwards they go to a café so there’s a real social side to it too. How inspirational is that? “They all want to be professional cyclists but not everybody can make it, only the really talented and tenacious ones. If people want to do it, it can happen through hard work but it’s not easy and great sacrifices have to be made.
Current RL360° Cycling League youngsters making a mark at UK National level Nathan Draper was 3rd in the British National Championships in the under 16s and is currently standing 5th in the British Cycling National Series.
“The support of Royal London 360° and anonymous donors who help us is invaluable.
Elizabeth Holden was 3rd in the British National Championships in the under 16s and was 3rd in the Omnium Series on the track overall. 1st Girl in the youth tour of Ireland under 16. She is also on the British Talent Team.
“ Most important is the help people and parents give to enable races to go on - standing out to marshal or judge on the finish line
We have never shirked from doing the best races in the UK, we have set our goals high.
Jake Kelly is now leading the Junior British National Series and his brother Joe is on the Olympic Development Programme (ODP) with British Cycling. Mark Christian is also on the ODP and is now riding for Team Raleigh. His sister Anna Christian is Junior British National Girls Champion. Matthew Bostock recently won the Youth Errigal Tour of Ireland in County Donegal and Nathan Draper was 3rd. The Isle of Man won team prizes in the under 16s and under 14s at the Youth Tour of Ireland, where Eleanor Davies was 3rd in the under 12 category. Matthew Bostock, Owen Dudley and William Draper are all past British National Champions and Matthew Draper is the current North West Divisional Champion. As we go to press, Matthew Bostock has just won silver medals in the Points Race and the Individual Pursuit at the British National Track Championships.
111