Team News: New Junior team for West Lothian Clarion

West Lothian Clarion Cycling Club are delighted to announce the launch of a new junior regional development race team

Team News: New Junior team for West Lothian Clarion

2025 roster
– Ben Massey
– Cailean Vorster
– Ewan Sexton
– Gregor Calvert
– Raphael Jacquemet-Ross
– Rory Flemming

After the club’s most successful ever year in 2024 with riders winning 10 Scottish national medals across road, MTB and Cyclo-cross, the Clarion want to continue developing riders in the under 18s category. In 2025, five riders graduate from the youth ranks to the new junior team which is bolstered by the experienced 17 year old Rory Fleming.

Team manager Matthew Ball is excited about the club’s new venture “Its the first time the Clarion have seen 5 junior riders develop at the same time through our youth academy, and signing Rory makes us a truly regional development squad”

Ball puts the club’s 2024 success down to its coaching pathway which runs from 6 year olds right up to 18 year olds. “For the last 4 years we’ve added an extra weekly coaching session to develop race craft and improve the fitness of our riders, who have always had great bike handling skills”

“These performance sessions at the West Lothian Cycle Circuit now attract riders from the whole region and each year we see more and more riders wanting to continue in cycle sport”

Keeping teenagers active is a top priority for the club, Ball says “The key to performance is consistent regular training and retaining riders so they can get closer to meeting their potential, our coaching sessions create a fun environment where athletes work hard to improve and come back every week to cycle with their friends”

The junior squad will target Scottish and British road races plus and an international event with the Junior Tour of Ireland, but the team will also compete in Mountain Bike, track and Cyclo cross events too. Ball is keen the emphasize the versatility of the roster “We’ve got a talented bunch of riders who can switch disciplines, whether it’s Road, MTB, Cyclo cross, or track, just like the their hero tom Pidcock!”

Even before the official launch the new team has secured it’s first wins with Linlithgow Academy’s Gregor Calvert wining the Brechin Scottish Cyclo Cross race and just last weekend Lambert’s Ben Massey won Bronze at the Scottish Cyclo Cross champs

The club is supported by two local business, with West Calder’s Pedal Power donating LIMAR Cycling helmets, owner Jonny McBain says ”At Pedal Power, we support local clubs that foster the next generation of riders. Keeping young people active, inspired, and connected through sport is not just a priority; it’s a privilege. The Clarion’s new junior squad is a fantastic initiative that aligns perfectly with our mission to empower future athletes. We proudly support this effort and look forward to watching these young riders thrive on and off the bike.

Main sponsor Drummond Black Consulting have posted the squad’s ability to travel to races, Owner Richard Pearson says “Drummond Black Consulting are delighted to be given this opportunity to support youth cycling with West Lothian Clarion. As a Transport Planning and Road Safety Engineering Consultancy, a large part of our work involves the design and development of active travel infrastructure and encouraging young people to get involved in cycling perfectly aligns with this work. We would like to wish the team luck in future competition and hope to continue supporting them in the coming years.”

The club is also grateful for the support from the National Clarion Cycling Club.

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