‘A very exciting time’ as Shenna is selected for Team Sky

Current professionals such as Peter Kennaugh, Simon Yates and Geraint Thomas have come through the Future Stars ranks – a unique event which gives Britain’s brightest young cycling talent the chance to race in front of sell-out crowds, with the event also being televised.

Previous Future Stars winners have gone onto be Olympic champions.

Shenna’s mum Nicola said it is a “very exciting time” for the local family.

“It’s amazing,” Nicola commented. “When Shenna initially applied she thought ‘It’ll never happen to me.’ Then when she got the email saying she had been selected, it was ‘oh wow’. It is completely self funded, which is our big problem. We are trying our best to see what we can send her to.

“We were going to send her to just Manchester and Glasgow as to send her to London is really expensive, but them we saw she’d been selected for Team Sky and we thought ‘Oh wow, what do we do now?’ We’re in a dilema.

“Shenna is sending letters to companies to see if she can get funding and we are trying to put together a fundraiser.”

There are two events in London, three in Manchester and one in Glasgow during the Future Stars series, beginning in London on October 24/25, and running until March.

Nicola continued: “Sir Chris Hoy set this up to give 15 and 16-year-olds, the best in the UK, the opportunity to race and be part of a pro team. The races will be held as part of the Revolution Series in between the World Cup programme, so the likes of Ben Swift will be in the pen with the young cyclists.

“Shenna is the only one from Ireland who is going to the event. There was a girl from Donegal selected, but the races don’t fit in with her exams.

“It’s a very exciting time for us all,” Nicola added. “Ideally we want to get Shenna to all six rounds. Shenna is taking everything in her stride.”

Banbridge CC members wish Shenna the best of luck with her training and look forward to hearing about her successes in due course.

If anyone would like to support Shenna as she takes part in the Future Stars series, please email [email protected], or contact Banbridge Cycling Club.