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Image of school pupils with Scottish cycling star Rhona Callander

Team GB cycling sensation inspires North Lanarkshire pupils

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Pupils in North Lanarkshire received an inspiring visit from young Scottish cycling sensation, Rhona Callander as part of the build-up to the OVO Energy Tour Series, which returned to Motherwell and Aberdeen this month.

The 20-year-old is a key future medal hope for both British Cycling and Team Scotland, having won gold at the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2017.

Morgan Sindall Construction and North Lanarkshire Council arranged for the Stirling-born athlete to visit Dunrobin Primary School and Ladywell Primary to enthuse the next generation of Scottish cyclists.

The main contractor is a Gold Sponsor of the OVO Energy Tour Series and also the council’s construction partner on several education projects in the area, which are being delivered through the Schools and Centres 21 framework.

The new £17.3 million, two-storey Dunrobin and Petersburn Primary is one of these schools. Building work is on schedule to complete next month.

Motherwell hosted the OVO Energy Tour Series for a fourth successive year on Tuesday 14 May, while Aberdeen makes its third appearance on the Series calendar two days later. Both events feature elite men and women’s races, giving Scottish fans the chance to see Britain’s best teams battling it out on their roads at this free-to-attend event.

North Lanarkshire has welcomed the OVO Energy Tour Series annually since 2015, with the likes of home heroes Eileen Roe and Katie Archibald having come out on top at the testing Motherwell circuit that finishes on Hamilton Road in the town centre.

Stuart Parker, Managing Director of Morgan Sindall Construction in Scotland, said: “The OVO Energy Tour Series is a key event for North Lanarkshire’s visitor economy and puts the region on a world stage.
“We have a longstanding collaborative relationship with the council, so becoming a sponsor and facilitating these school engagement days was something we were only too happy to do. Encouraging pupils to pursue sports and active lifestyles is a key agenda we fully support. Judging by the enthusiastic reception the pupils gave to Rhona, we may well have inspired a new wave of young Team Scotland cycling stars!”
Des Murray, Chief Executive of North Lanarkshire Council, said: “Bringing the Tour Series to Motherwell is a real team effort among local organisations, and we are delighted to have the support of Morgan Sindall Construction this year.
“Rhona’s visit to Dunrobin Primary gave the pupils an insight into the training and dedication needed to become a leading professional cyclist, and I hope they will come along on 14 May to cheer her on in the race. Thank you to Morgan Sindall Construction and all our sponsors for their help in hosting The OVO Energy Tour Series.”
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “Events play a key role in our visitor economy and the OVO Energy Tour Series is part of an exciting calendar of cycling events that take place across Scotland each year. EventScotland is delighted to be supporting its return to Motherwell and Aberdeen once again, where cycling fans both on the course and watching at home will be treated to an exciting evening of high calibre racing.”

The events in Motherwell and Aberdeen will also see a full programme of support activities and races, giving cyclists young and old the chance to ride on the same closed road circuits as their heroes.

  • For more information about this news release please contact Jonathan Daly at Influential on 0161 804 1400 or email daly@thisisinfluential.com