By Laurie Finlayson

In Scotland, it is not uncommon for large groups of people to gather around the television to watch football or rugby, but is not often, if at all, that you hear of the same for cycling, when the UCI World Championships are on or the Tour de France.

In this country, it could be argued the cycling should be more of a mainstream sports as one of our most decorated sportspeople tasted major success on two wheels, in Sir Chris Hoy. As for what needs done to increase exposure for cycling, UAE Development Team cyclist, Eilidh Shaw, said: ” [We need] coverage straight from the beginning of the race to the end, and not just race highlights at some points.”

The 19-year-old has tasted real success this year after a turbulent 2023 due to a career-threatening injury, however, she has got back to her best since the turn of the year, in what she described as a “whirlwind.”

Elidh isn’t the only cyclist in the family, with her younger brother, 17-year-old Straun keeping her on her toes. He has made a stellar start to his career in road racing, having already represented Scotland at junior level. On the publicity the sport gets, he added: “It’s hard for youths to get into cycling, because it is not classed as a ‘cool sport.’ People don’t get brought into it as easily.” Key to encouraging young people to get on their bike is exposure, which Struan feels his sport doesn’t have enough.

He has ambitions of following in his sister’s footsteps by securing a professional contract. For now, though, he is racing for Tofauti Everyone Active.

Struan enjoys the pressure of riding in Europe, where there is a higher calibre of competitor. Scottish cyclists do very well on the continent, so they deserve more attention from the Scottish viewing public and broadcasters alike.

Here’s more of what the Shaw siblings told UWS News: