Image of Dan Cosgrove by Ian Bailey
Dolan Races and Marshalling list
The last of the Dolan youth races take place in Southport’s Victoria Park this Saturday (April 14th). The races bring some of the best Under 16 cyclists into our town on an annual basis. In previous years, races have been won by the likes of Mark Cavendish, Yates Brothers and Matthew Draper who is to represent Wales in the Common Wealth Games with many competitors going on to race in teams once they reach 16 years old. Southport Youth races were even mentioned on last year’s live Tour de France coverage by the commentators as a great place to start racing!
Sponsored by Dolan Bikes, racing will start at 9:30 with the Under 8s racing a lap of the park, then Under 10s, Under 12s, Under 14s, Under 14s and Under 16s girls and finally Under 16 boys. Competition is fierce as the Under 14 and Under 16 boys categories are already full with competitors coming from as far afield as Ireland and the Isle of Man.
Representing Southport Cycling Club will be Tom Sparkes (Under 16s boy), Isabelle McKinnon (Under 16s girl), Joe Cosgrove (Under 12s boy) and Dan Cosgrove (Under 10s boy).
If you want some exciting, free entertainment, please come along to Rotten Row and support some of our local youngsters – give them a cheer as they fly past!
We also welcome any help from our existing members to assist marshalling the event, which could not be put on without volunteers kindly giving up some of their time to help make it a success.
Please click the following link for a list of those members who have volunteered marshal over the three weekends.
Guidance for Marshals
1. Chief Marshal for 17th March & 14th April is Claire McKinnon. For the 24th March it will be Pete Scott.
The chief marshal is responsible for communication and co-ordination of the team of marshals.
2. Volunteers please meet at the Clubhouse at 9.00am for a marshal’s briefing.
3. At the briefing you will be allocated a corner to marshal. The marshals role is to engage with the
general public wherever possible to advise that racing is taking place in the public park. Ask people
to keep off the circuit. In the event of an incident/crash use a radio to inform the race officals, help to
clear the circuit of any debris, cones, bikes etc. and contact the first aid team if help is required.
4. At 8.00am Dave Ritchie, Derek Unsworth and Aaron Green will start setting up the course so if
you are able to arrive before 9.00am please see Dave, Derek or Aaron to assist. There’s also a
gazebo to erect requiring 5 or 6 people (ideally one of whom should have a degree in physics!).
Racing starts at 9.30.
