Sebastian Baylis (Mid Devon CC) took the win on a tough second stage of the Isle of Man Youth Tour. He was followed in by Stuart McCluskey (Team Leslie Bike Shop) around 7 seconds behind, with Jorrit Lind (Sleepwell Hotels/Viking Waterland RT) third at approximately 12 seconds.
With the race taking in 11 circuits of a 10km long circuit, including the tough ‘switchbacks’ climb, it was always going to be decided on the climb and so it proved.
The race was a lively one with several breaks going clear in the early laps only to be reeled in. MaxGear racing, with riders in the yellow and green jerseys, were watchful and looked to be working well together. They seemed to have made the perfect move when Chris Latham got away in a strong group of six including Joe Kirkham (Hargroves Cycles), Joe Moses (Sportscover/Altura RT), and Craig Wallace (Granite City RC).
However, the race began to unravel when Harry Tanfield (Team Wallis-CHH) sparked a concerted effort from the bunch to catch the breakaways and the lead tumbled with 3 laps to go. By the bell the bunch was all together, although there were popped riders strewn all around the circuit, a testament to the pace and tough nature of the course.
On the final lap Baylis went clear with McCluskey and Joe Kirkham (Hargroves Cycles) on a short climb along the coast road into Peel. Attacking again at the bottom of the Switchback he held a slender lead to cross the line alone.