Errigal Cycling Club have taken the decision to pass on the mantle of hosting the 2022 International Youth Tour to a new host. What started out as a 3-year commitment in 2012 continued until 2021. Eight editions of the Youth Tour were organised by the club until Covid-19 forced the cancellation of the event in 2020 and 2021.
The club’s vision when taking over the running of the event was first and foremost to ensure the safety of all the competitors and secondly to ensure that every boy and girl taking part would enjoy their time in Donegal and want to come back the following year. From an entry of 120 young riders in 2012 the tour grew to over 240 riders in 2019. The Youth Tour welcomed competitors from Scotland, the Isle of Man, England, Wales, Spain, South Africa, Belgium, France and Malta as well as from all corners of Ireland.
None of this would have been possible without the Youth Tours many sponsors with particular thanks going to LK Bikes, Watson Hire and Boyce’s Centra who supported every edition. Thanks also to the members of Donegal County Council and Donegal Sports Partnership for all their help over the years and to the local Gardai who ensured the safety of participants.
The support, advice and encouragement from both Cycling Ireland and Cycling Ulster and all the Commissaires, Timekeepers, Judges and other officials was instrumental in helping Errigal CC successfully host the event for almost a decade.
Errigal CC would like to acknowledge the fantastic welcome the event received in Churchill, Letterkenny and Dunlewey each year with family, friends and local residents turning out to support the young riders. Our thanks to all the parents, coaches and managers who took the time to bring their U12, U14 and U16 boys and girls to Donegal to take part in the tour.
And to all those boys and girls who took part over the past decade, thank you and we hope you enjoyed your cycling weekends in Donegal. Finally, to the ‘Errigal family’, thank you to everyone who gave so generously of their time to make sure the club hosted the best race possible.
The Youth Tour will now move on to new hosts and the club is working with Cycling Ireland and Cycling Ulster to pass on this iconic event to a new host club. Errigal CC will provide support and guidance to clubs interested in hosting the Youth Tour in 2022.
Expressions of interest can be made to Cycling Ulster at chair@cyclingulster.com
Until we meet again “Míle buíochas agus slán ó Cumann Rothaíoch an Earagaill”.