CYCLING: Clarion chief takes pride in development of twins (From Bury Times)

CYCLING: Clarion chief takes pride in development of twins

9:20am Thursday 28th February 2013 in Sport By Gordon Sharrock

BURY Clarion Cycling Club secretary Peter Roscoe believes Simon Yates’ sensational world championship triumph will have a spin-off for his club.

The 78-year-old said the sport – already ridng the crest of a popularity wave after Team GB’s medal-winning performances at successive Olympics – would get a boost locally after the Bury rider struck gold in the points race at the Track World Championships in Belarus.

“Simon’s success is absolutely marvellous as far as our club is concerned, and should help us with our growth by encouraging more people to take an interest in us,” he said.

“We have been working hard to take advantage of the surge in interest in cycling and this can only help.”

Mr Roscoe has watched Simon and his twin brother Adam develop as race cyclists since, as 11-year-olds, they joined Bury Clarion, where their father John was a member and still competes on the track.

He is not surprised the 20-year-old has hit the heights and, being a member of the British Cycling Academy based at Manchester Velodrome, he expects him to go from strength to strength in the coming years.

“I don’t know what event Simon will eventually excel at, whether it’s on the track or on the road,” he said. “I fancy him as a team pursuit rider, but we’ll see.

“He’s certainly a clever rider. seeing the way he won that even on Friday. He showed a lot of instinct and intuition as well as speed and power.

“He couldn’t be in better hands, though. No academy is better at bringing on young cyclists.

“But he and his brother, Adam, have always had the right kind of help. Their parents, John and Susan, have been wonderful.

“They are a remarkable family. John had to buy a van to transport the boys and their bikes all over the country.

“It’s a big advantage when you have your parents behind you like they are.