Team Wales Cycling Announcement

Today, Team Wales announce the athletes selected as part of the Cycling team for the Commonwealth Youth Games, which takes place in the twin island nation of Trinidad and Tobago from 4-11 August this summer. 

Cycling will have a team of 4 cyclists amongst the team of 38 athletes and 20 support staff who will compete across four sports; Athletics, Swimming, Women Rugby 7s and Cycling. 

Trinbago Cycling Team Leader Rob Partridge said: “It’s great to see the outstanding young cyclists who have been selected to represent Wales at the Youth Commonwealth Games. This is an incredible opportunity for those selected and a crucial stepping stone in their development within the sport of cycling.  

  

The Games will provide them with invaluable experiences that will shape their future as athletes. I’m really looking forward to working with this group and to help make the Games a successful one for Team Wales.” 

 

The Games will see more than 1,000 athletes and para-athletes between the ages of 14-18 across the 72 nations and territories around the Commonwealth compete across 7 sports this summer; Aquatics (Swimming), Athletics and Para Athletics, Cycling (Road Race, Time Trial and Track) and Triathlon, as well as FAST5 Netball, Rugby Sevens and Beach Volleyball. 

Since its launch in 2000, the Youth Games has continued to grow to provide a unique opportunity to experience elite sport on the international stage, promote cultural understanding and create lifelong friendships across the Commonwealth. 

The last time cycling was part of Team Wales at a Youth Games was 12 years ago in 2011 at the Isle of Man event. The team included Elinor Barker, Amy Roberts, Dan Pearson and Owain Doull, and between them brought home 6 medals, finish 3rd in the Cycling competition. 

Owain Doull who was Wales’ flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony, secured a silver medal in the Team Road Race with Dan Pearson, whilst Elinor Barker, who has an Olympic, Worlds, European and Commonwealth titles to her name, won a bronze in the Time Trial and a second bronze in the Team Road Race with Amy Roberts. 

Elinor Barker became the first Welsh cyclist to win a track title in almost 30 years at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. 

Commonwealth Games Wales President, Helen Phillips MBE added  

‘It’s fantastic to have cycling back in the team after not being included for 12 years. Welsh Cycling have developed a talent pool with huge strength and depth. It’s a wonderful opportunity to see these talented athletes shine at the Games this summer. 

When you review the 4 cyclists who were at the Isle of Man in 2011, it includes International, World, Commonwealth and Olympic medalists it’s outstanding!  

Elinor Barker is regarded as one of the World’s best cyclists, topping the podium in all major events, and her remarkable return to elite sport so soon after giving birth at the Birmingham Games last year just emphasises the passion athletes have for the sport here in Wales and the importance of the Commonwealth Games in their careers. 

Congratulations and best of luck to every cyclist. Enjoy this experience..’ 

 

Introducing Team Wales Cycling:

Max Bufton                Men’s Road Race, Men’s Time Trial 

Lowri Richards         Women’s Road Race, Women’s TT, Women’s Points Race, Women’s Scratch Race, Women’s 500m TT, Women’s                                        Individual Pursuit 

William Salter           Men’s Sprint, Men’s Scratch Race, Men’s Kilo TT 

Sam Fisher                 Men’s Keirin, Men’s Scratch race, Men’s Kilo TT