Scott mounts three-pronged EYOF attack in Turkey

By Paul Eddison, Sportsbeat

JACOB SCOTT'S wardrobe is already jam-packed with GB kit - but the cyclist insists he couldn't be happier to give it a competitive airing after winning European Youth Olympic Festival selection.

TURKISH DELIGHT: Jacob Scott has high hopes ahead of his trip to the European Youth Olympic Festival in Turkey

Scott is in his second year on the GB Talent Team but while regularly training in the red, white and blue the Turkish competition that kicks off on July 23 will be his first competitive race in national colours.

The 16-year-old will join 3,000 athletes from 48 European countries in Trabzon and will be a busy boy - competing in the time trial, criterium and road race.

And with his first taste of GB competition just around the corner Scott admits he can't wait for the continental showdown to kick off.

"I'm really pleased to have got on to the team," said Scott - whose performances have not gone unnoticed with Lloyds TSB handing him £1000 of funding as part of their Local Heroes initiative.

"A few of the guys were checking to see if they had been picked at a training session and I saw a few disappointed faces so I thought I'd have a look to see if I was in and when I found out I was really pleased.

"This season has mainly been about trying to focus on getting in the team for Turkey, but I also wanted to show some of my handling skills.

"This will be my first official race for GB, and the only opportunity you get at my age to race in full GB gear, so it should be great. I'm on the GB talent team so I've been out to Holland Belgium before, but this will still be special."

Despite facing up to a hectic schedule in his week of action on the Black Sea coast Scott's Turkish adventure will be followed by a week's racing in Holland.

However the Dutch element to a busy two weeks is the last thing on his mind at present, with a European Youth Olympic Festival gold top of his agenda.

"My aim is to place in the top three in at least one of the events, and ideally to get a win if I can," added Scott.

"We've raced against some of the Belgians before, but there will be riders from France, Spain and a few other countries who I expect to be good.

"On the way back we are going to be racing for a week in Lassen in Holland, so it's basically two weeks away cycling. It's really living the dream."

Lloyds TSB, in partnership with SportsAid, is providing awards of £1,000 to 344 emerging athletes on their journey to London 2012 and beyond. Follow your Lloyds TSB Local Hero at: www.facebook.com/lloydstsblocalheroes

© Sportsbeat 2011