IF you go down to Bellahouston Park on Thursday night, you’ll be in for a big surprise as more than 100 of Scotland’s best young cyclists will be there, competing for glory.

The event is round four of  the ScottishPower Road series where entrants will compete on a 1km circuit using park paths. The event starts on July 2 at 6.15pm, when the Under 8s race takes place, followed by three more age grade races until the Under 16s compete in the finale at 7.45pm.

The Bellahouston Crit series has gone from strength to strength since it began in 2013.  The series of five events take place on Thursday evenings between May and September pulling in riders from all the Glasgow clubs and further afield, with competitors from Stirling, Peebles, Inverurie and Ayr making the trip.  

From encouraging people to ride their bikes for the first time, to helping Scots compete on the international stage. Scottish Cycling works in partnership with British Cycling to provide support across all levels of the sport in Scotland, as well as helping to nurture home-grown talent to compete at a world and Olympic level as part of a successful GB cycling team. 

Event organiser Martin Mulholland said: “Bellahouston Park is a great setting for racing and this is a fantastic opportunity for local people to come and see top quality racing. The Scottish Power youth series allows Scotland’s best young cyclists to become accustomed to competition and hone their racing tactics. I hope some young local people will see how exciting racing can be and decide to take up the sport for themselves.” 

A number of promising young  Glasgow Riderz are already signed up for the race, including Geoff Vera in the U10 boys, James Ballantyne in the U12 boys, Imani Pereira-James in the U12 girls and Jack Cruden in the U14 boys. Georgie Ferry and Beth Wilson will be competing against each other in the Under 14 girls’ race.  

In what will be a busy weekend for Scottish Cycling, the BMXers will have their moment in the sun on Sunday when Round seven of the BMX competition in the ScottishPower Youth Series heads to Broadwood.  

With 184 affiliated clubs across the country and more than 650 events to choose from it has never been easier to get involved. Visit www.scottishcycling.org.uk to find out how to contact your local clubs and find out more about the range of racing and coaching opportunities. 

Event Schedule  

18:15     Under 8  

18:30     Under 10  

18:50     Under 12 

19:15     Under 14  

19:45     Under 16