ALLOWAY schoolboy Ollie Kelly competed in the Errigal International Youth Tour of Ireland last weekend. ]

Over the three days of the August Bank Holiday, the Errigal Cycling Club promoted the seventh edition of the race.

This is the premier youth event on the Irish cycling calendar and attracts youngsters from all over Europe. Ollie having just returned from the French southern Alps, where he climbed the mighty Alpe de Huez was in good form to take on the top youth racing cyclists. Ollie a member of Ayr Roads/Harry Fairbairn Cycling Club and Johnstone Jets for whom he competes, rode all four stages in the under 12 category. These included two Road Races in Stage 1 and 3. A Hilly Time Trial in Stage 2 and a Criterium Circuit in the town of Letterkenny in Donegal. The Road Races were routed through hilly terrain that provided good vantage points for parents and supporters alike.

Ollie was part of a Scottish contingent that included youngsters from Edinburgh Road Club and Deeside Thistle. The Scots boys and girls were up against strong opposition, particularly from the Isle of Man, one of the strongest British teams and of course, Ireland’s own talented youngsters.

Ollie missed out in a podium position but finished 5th overall in a field of fifty five competitors.

The overall winner of his category was young Elliot Rowe of Edinburgh Road Club, followed by the Isle of Man Team that took 2nd - 4th positions.

Meanwhile on Sunday, the Ayr Roads Team were in action on the fast Eglinton course at Irvine, where seven clubmen competed in the 10 mile Time Trial promoted by GTR Racing Club. The local course was well supported by Ayrshire Clubs with Fullarton Wheelers of Irvine fielding ten riders on their home course. Conditions were poor with riders experiencing wet and windy weather with a headwind on the homeward leg. The Roads team held their own against other Ayrshire clubs and were the fastest on the day. The fastest Roads rider was. Calum MacDonald in a fine time of 22 minutes 3 seconds for the distance.

Other Ayr Roads times were: Alex McAllister 22.43; Michael Curran 22.50; Harry Brawley 23.09; Ross Milvenan 23.37. This was Ross's first ever open time trial.

Craig Allison 24.20

John Gemmell 26.07

The winner of the event was Douglas Watson of the promoting club who recorded a 19.57 ride.

Fastest Ayrshire lady was Catherine Logan in 25.03 and fastest Ayrshire rider was Mark Skilling of Carrick Cycling Club in a fine time of 21.34.

On the week end of September 1 and 2, the Eglinton Course will stage the British National 10 mile time trial championships for Men, Women and Juniors. Ayr Roads and Fullarton. Wheelers have been awarded joint promotion of this event, which will see the top British racing cyclists taking part. Some of whom having just competed in the European Championships held in Glasgow last weekend.

On the Sportive scene, Kenny Scott followed in the footsteps of his Roads team mates when he headed for the continent last week, where he took part in the La Purito Sportive staged in Andorra. This year's edition followed the same route as a legendary stage of the Tour of Spain, taking in a distance of 145 kms and with a total ascent of over 17,000 feet.

Nearer to home, Scott Knox, Ed Clifton, Andy Conway, Bobby and Stewart McCallum rode the Galloway Sportive over a distance of 100 miles.

Insert Photo of Ollie Kelly competing in The Youth Tour of Ireland