Rider Report: Scottish Youth Tour

Olivia Smallshaw (13yrs) of Secret Training CC joined up with over 70 girls attending the three day Youth Tour of Scotland this weekend in Perthshire. Here is her race report

Rider Report: Scottish Youth Tour

Olivia Smallshaw (13yrs) of Secret Training CC joined up with over 70 girls attending the three day Youth Tour of Scotland this weekend in Perthshire. Against the brutal winds of storm Kathleen, the crashing and the older competition, Olivia fought her way into a top 20 finish in the GC.

Rider Report
“I was super excited to be invited to the tour, very nervous though. I train with some of the A girls and know their pace but watching the girls battle at Pembrey last week I knew I was in for a hard fight. I set realistic expectations of my weekend. Stay safe, and try to finish in the top 40 – a big ask considering the calibre of the line up but I felt it was a good target.

My prologue was great, something I’ve been working on improving so it was a great confidence boost to place 20th.

On to stage one, a fantastic hilly route and a real test with the high winds. I had to fight as hard on the descents as the climbs due to being under geared and small but I kept within the chasing bunch and rolled over in 24th.

Stage two was a quiet race with a few attacks but non sticking as we kept chasing them down until the last sprint. A coming together between riders in the middle caused a ripple to us on the outside and a few girls ended up in the hedges, I unfortunately found the floor but being in the final 3km and after a check by the medics I was cleaned up and passed fit for the Team time trial. Stage three, the TTT was cancelled as the wind was now too strong leaving the final stage.

Stage four was a crit race around the grounds of Strathallan school. My focus was to move up the pack and try to follow any breaks but I was in a bit of pain with my arm from the crash, within a few laps I found myself in the front group hanging on to the girls who were hammering it up the climb lap after lap but making sure I stuck with them unil the end which I did. It was a tough race. I moved up to 19th in the GC and had a great result. What an absolutely amazing weekend of racing.”

Follow Olivia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liv_on_the_bike/

RESULTS of stage 4 and the overall on VeloUK HERE. Thank you Olivia for that great insight! I don’t about anyone else, but when I see a result I always know there are stories about the race to be told so great to get this insight from Olivia. Good luck in you next races!