Youth cycling festival comes to Lancaster and Morecambe

Elliot Reed and George Wharton in action at Litherland.

Williamson Park and Salt Ayre Sports Centre will play host to parts of the three-day Screentek International North West Youth Tour.

Around 400 youngsters, including many from the local Salt Ayre Cog Set club, and their families are expected with Saturday’s first stage from 4pm an uphill individual time trial past the Ashton Memorial in Williamson Park.

Sunday’s second stage is a long circuit race at Preston’s UCLan arena before Monday’s final stage will see every rider racing twice, once in the morning and again in the afternoon, on the Salt Ayre track.

Cog Setters of all ages will be taking on top riders from across Britain and Europe in what promises to be a fantastic three days of racing.

The club’s riders have been busy in various races over the last few weeks.

In his first year of racing at national level, 13-year-old Bobby Horton sprinted to a stunning fifth place on the third stage of the Isle of Man Youth Tour.

Best-placed of the Cog Set contingent was 12-year-old Tilly Percy, who finished third in her category.

Elsewhere, in Round 2 of the North West Youth League at Litherland, in the under 16 boys races Elliot Reed got two fine third places, pipping team mate George Wharton into fourth on both occasions.