This squad lacks several big names that have stepped down from competition after Guernsey 2023 or are chasing other targets. There is in fact not a single member who is returning from the home Games.
But following their initial squad struggles, Guernsey Velo Club president and team official Gary Wallbridge said they are ‘thrilled’ to now be announcing 14 riders.
‘The team is a mixture of experienced riders who have competed at the Island Games before, some exciting up-and-coming young riders, debutants who were inspired by watching the Guernsey 2023 Island Games and some fantastic ladies that are competing in the triathlon in Orkney too,’ he said.
Triathletes Hannah Kennedy and Chloe Truffitt have come in to strengthen the women’s road team, which has four of a possible five members. There is unfortunately no women’s mountain bike team.
Meanwhile, Guernsey will be fully represented with five riders apiece in the men’s road and mountain bike events.
This includes Phil Touzeau making his comeback to Island Games level on the road and regular domestic winner Mark Le Page being among the promising up-and-coming mountain bikers.
In contrast, several veteran or otherwise experienced riders that have not typically been in the Games equation have stepped up and earned their selection.
Wallbridge continues to highlight the great response since the heavy squad struggles of last November, when the provisional team size had dropped to six members.
‘Since then, so many riders have shown great enthusiasm and we are delighted that the team has grown to 14,’ he said.
‘The riders are preparing well and we are really excited for July.
‘We can’t wait to see what the team can do.’
The cycling events span five days in Orkney, beginning with the road time-trial on Monday 14 July.
That is followed by the mountain bike criterium on Tuesday and road race on Wednesday.
The busy week of cycling concludes with the cross-country on Thursday and finally the road ‘crit’ on Friday.
Both individual and team medals will be up for grabs in all five events.
The freshly crowned Easter Festival champion, Touzeau, will be competing on the Games stage for the first time in 12 years.
‘It’s definitely a different team to the last 10 to 15 years but will be a good challenge for us all,’ he said.
‘I know the rest of the team are all training hard and are going to be racing well in Orkney.’
Guernsey’s cyclists for Orkney 2025
Women’s road team: Pippa Inderwick, Hannah Kennedy, Andrea Nightingale, Chloe Truffitt.
Men’s road team: Ollie Duguid, Nathaniel Jones, Alex Margison, James Marshall, Phil Touzeau.
Men’s mountain bike team: Seth Davey, Mark Ferbrache, Mark Le Page, Pete Sargent, Charlie Tourtel.
Team officials: Gary Wallbridge, Alex Wilson, Helena Duguid.
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