Record entries for Kerry Youth Tour weekend

RIDERS from South Africa, for the first time Sweden, The Netherlands for the first time, and Belgium, as well representatives from most of the BCF Regions, will take part in the Kerry Youth Tour this weekend.

Last year, the field had 199 starters while this year the event has attracted a record 220 entries.

The Swedish team arrives as part of a twinning agreement between the Kerry Youth Tour and the Dagars Tour in Sweden which will feature a team representing the Kerry Youth Tour next time around.

“Besides the Swedish team we have confirmed entries from the Youth Cycling Association of South Africa,” said race director Micheal Concannon, pointing out that this is an event for parents and officials as well as the riders.

“The real reward comes at the end of the race when young people and their parents compliment both on the race and on the amount of fun they have had.”

There will be Belgian teams from the Ardennes Region where Killorglin Credit Union also have an arrangement which sees its riders compete in Belgium.

The strong British contingent which adds a competitive edge to proceedings comes from the NW Region, the NE Region, Team Keyne, British Cycling SE Region, VC Lincoln and the British Cycling Midlands Region.

The standing which the event enjoys with the UCI, the world governing body, is reflected in the fact that international commissaire Jack Watson will act as chief commissaire, assisted by a panel of four commissaires.

Over the Saturday, Sunday and Monday the race, which starts in Beaufort, will use the now traditional routes of Beaufort, Sun Hill and the Donal McKenna Circuits ending with an individual time trial in Killorglin.