Cycling Reports

17 year-old Kieran Page and his all conquering Great Britain team have taken this years Junior Tour by storm. The race that has unearthed the talents of riders such as Martin Earley, Stephen Roche, Tommy Evans, Ian Chivers, David Millar, Mark Scanlon, Richard Groenendaal and many other top rank international amateurs and pros seems to have dug up another one.

The Isle of Wight native not only won the opening time trial up Howth Hill on Monday, but showed that attack is sometimes the best form of defence as he outsprinted second overall Freeke Folle of Holland in Balbriggan tonight (Wednesday) for his second stage win while wearing the yellow jersey of race leader.

“Today’s stage went to plan.” said the young member of both the British junior track and road squads, “We got a guy in the early breaks and we were just closing everything down. I felt good at the end so I put in an attack.” The first year Junior not only ‘put in an attack’ but went from the bunch to the break – who were 30 seconds up – and left them, with only Folle for company. “I was initially just going to go to the break, but then they saw me there and they all started to stall, so I just attacked again and I got off the front.” With some clever riding from his teammates behind, the gap grew to over a minute in one 4.5 mile lap. “They did a fabulous job, Dave Heaven, Richard Sutcliffe and James Bell, they’ve done me proud today, they really have!”

The Junior Tour is part of Page’s preparation for the British National Road race Championships in a few weeks time. “I’ve just come off a months track work,” he says “so I’m surprised to be going so well ! The season’s been going well, we’ve progressed as we’ve wanted it to. The only real disappointment being the Wolrd Track Championships the other week, where we didn’t come back with a medal.” (Page was fifth, after breaking the British pursuit record.)

Page comes from a sporting rather than a cycling family and took up the sport at the age of twelve, riding his first time trial on his native Isle. “My Mum and Dad do triathlon, rowing, swimming - everything really, so I just picked up from them really.” The youngster has that winning streak in him, he knows exactly what he wants and how to get it. His next aim is the World Road Race Championships in September. “My aim is to turn pro and then start it all from there,” he says “and hopefully get to the top of that!”

Youthful enthusiasm? Maybe. Maybe not. This lad seems to have the talent, and most importantly the will to succeed. Has British cycling turned over another Page ? Wait and see.