Second place for Aaron in Donegal international race

Aaron Swan in action at the Errigal International Youth Tour in Donegal.

The event is one of the biggest youth cycling events in Europe, with competitors coming from England, Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man, as well as from as far afield as South Africa and Germany.

The 16-year-old from Clough was part of a four-man FBD 2020 Olympic team - a team featuring cyclists earmarked as having the potential to reach the Games in seven years’ time.

After finishing third in the opening stage, Aaron managed to claw back some time on the yellow jersey by winning the second stage time trial by five seconds.

He took three more seconds off the deficit in the penultimate Queen stage but despite a strong ride in the final criterium stage, around the streets of Letterkenny, he was unable to catch the winner, a competitor from the Isle of Man.

It was another strong performance from Aaron, who has re-focused his efforts after being overlooked for this year’s Youth Olympics, when he was named as a reserve.

He is currently in Belgium where he will compete in three races before he returns for the Ulster and All-Ireland championships.