Dion McCarthy – pictured here recently on home roads – is in flying form in England
Fermoy CC youth riders Dion McCarthy and Eoin Birchall both hold the yellow jersey in their respective age groups after two stages of the prestigious North West International Youth Tour in England.
McCarthy won both stages in the U14 category today while Birchall finished second in the opening two stages of the U12 event; with the pair now holding the yellow jerseys moving into the second day of competition tomorrow.
They are riding the races with Fermoy CC.
McCarthy had a great day today, showing a really promising turn of speed and confidence beyond his years when he took his two stage wins from bunch sprints.
The race is one of the biggest for youth riders in the UK and follows a demanding format, with two stages today, Saturday, followed by two more tomorrow and a one final stage on Monday in Blackpool.
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This morning’s stage for the U14 or “Youth B” category in which McCarthy is competing was a short five miler; five laps of a one mile circuit. It ended in a bunch sprint involving most of the 66-rider field, with McCarthy coming out best.
This afternoon’s stage for the Youth B U14 riders was much longer; twenty laps of a one-mile circuit. Despite some aggressive riding, it again finished in a bunch gallop with McCarthy taking that to make it two wins from two.
With time bonuses he now holds the yellow jersey by eight seconds from Daniel Tulett (Hargroves Cycles) and Oliver Peckover (Nottingham Clarion).
The quality of McCarthy’s wins are underlined by the fact that Tulett is ranked third in his age group in Britain, with Peckover sixth in the national British rankings. The leading rider in Britain, Matthew Walls (Velocity Racing Team) is fourth overall behind the Irish yellow jersey man.
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In the U12, or Youth D, race Eoin Birchall has also put in a massive ride for Fermoy CC and Ireland.
The youngster has finished second on both stages in his category today, with the riders taking in a 6km stage both this morning and again this afternoon.
Birchall certainly was not overawed by the prospect of competing abroad against the best youngsters in Britain and showed great determination and speed to finish second in the sprints that settled both races.
With time bonuses for those two rides, Birchall now takes the leader’s yellow jersey into the second day of racing tomorrow to complete what has been a dream start to the five-stage three day for the party from Cork.
Birchall now leads on GC by three seconds from Matthew Egglestone (Beacon Wheelers), with Aaron Freeman (Chelmer CC) in third. Egglestone is the number 1 ranked U12 in the British Cycling rider rankings, with Freeman currently fifth in those rankings.
Jack McCarthy and Laura Birchall (both Fermoy CC) are participating in the Youth C race and have ridden strongly to be well within striking distance of the top of the leader board after today’s opening two stages.
Meanwhile, Emily Birchall is 9th in the Youth B girls race and will be very much looking to press home her strength tomorrow and on Monday as she attempts to win her age category.
The team pictured just before they headed off for England this weekend
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