THE memory of a West Fife cycling stalwart will be marked this summer by a race that will be held in his honour.

Sandy Wallace, who for more than 30 years ran a successful bike shop business in Inverkeithing, died last August following a short illness.

Born in Dunfermline, he was behind Sandy Wallace Cycles, which was located on Hope Street, providing equipment and support for recreational and competitive riders alike.

A keen rider in his own right, Sandy also took part in many disciplines to an extremely high level, and in 2012 completed the 'Tour de Force', an event in which competitors cycle the route of the Tour de France one week ahead of the professionals.

He also supported riders through his own successful cycling team, which took the same name as his business, and came up with the idea to form the Ryan's Bike Surgery-Thomson Homes team, which came together before the outbreak of coronavirus.

Backed by Inverkeithing-based Ryan's Bike Surgery, run by Ryan Easson, and Cowdenbeath-based Thomson Homes, the team have decided to organise an event in June to remember Sandy.

The Sandy Wallace Memorial Trophy TT (Time Trial) will take place on June 26, he day before what would have been Sandy's birthday, taking in a route of just over 12 miles around Loch Leven, starting and finishing in Kinross.

There will be trophies on offer to the overall male and female winners in the race, which will be open to adult and youth riders alike.

Silas Goldsworthy, a former Scottish time trial and track champion who has raced for his country, is part of the Ryan's Bike Surgery-Thomson Homes team, and told Press Sport: "It's a scenic route, with views of the hills and the loch.

"We hope there will be riders from elsewhere, and we're having a couple of trophies made up for the first male and first female, and there will be surprises for other age groups.

"It's an event for people to come and race but also for people to remember Sandy and celebrate his life. That's the key thing we want to do; put on an event befitting of his name.

"I'm sure there will be a big turnout for him, which will make it special."

Details on how to enter will be made available soon.

Last year, Ryan's Bike Surgery-Thomson Homes won their first silverware with the Fife Cycling Association's 50-mile TT Trophy, before adding victory at the Scottish Team Time Trial Championship in August.

l More cycling news, page 51.