Manager has belief in 'very strong' Manx Island Games cycling squad

Nine riders eyeing success in Orkney next week

The manager of the Isle of Man's cycling team heading to the 2025 Island Games this month has faith in what he describes as a 'very strong' lineup heading to Orkney.

A total of nine competitors have been selected to represent the Isle of Man across the road and mountain bike events.

At the previous event in Guernsey two years ago, both the Manx male and female mountain bike teams were in the medals whilst the road racing group took team silver in the men's criterium.

Rob Sorby - who's once again overseeing the team in 2025 - agrees the new and younger additions to the squad can learn from the experienced riders alongside them:

Five of the nine included this time around - Niall Quiggin and Mark Horsthuis in the road races as well as Owen Collins, Ross Thorley and Eric Kelly in the MTB events - were part of the Guernsey 2023 games.

New additions this year include Tyler Hannay, Ivan Sorby, Callum Salisbury and Cian Howard.

There were initially plans to also have a female cycling squad in Orkney featuring local riders Ruby Oakes, Sophie Smith and Jess Pickavance.

However, all three are unavailable due to commitments with their respective teams.

The Isle of Man claimed six medals in cycling in Guernsey two years ago.

The women's MTB team of Sacha Hortshuis and Kirree Quayle took gold in the MTB criterium with Quayle also taking individual bronze in the same race.

The pairing then went on to take team silver in the women's MTB cross-country competition.

Elsewhere, the group of Will Draper, Michael Faid, Jamie Fletcher, Mark Horsthuis and Niall Quiggin won team silver in the men's town centre criterium.

The male MTB squad of Elliot Baxter, Owen Collins, Eric Kelly, Alex Rockwell and Ross Thorley won team bronze in both the MTB Criterium and Cross-County races.

The 2025 Island Games in Orkney are scheduled to take place from 12-18 July.