Tour de France Scot Oscar Onley hailed a hero in Kelso

The cyclist who equalled the best ever Tour de France finish by a Scot at the weekend has been hailed as a hero in his hometown.

Oscar Onley – who grew up in Kelso in the Borders – finished fourth overall in the gruelling three-week race.

The chairman of the Kelso Wheelers Cycling Club, where Oscar first showed his prowess, said they had been watching him every pedal of the way.

Rob Ure said they had been “shocked and surprised” by how well he had performed but also knew the talent the 22-year-old possessed.

“I think from 10 years old, when that young lad first jumped on a bike, you could see that if ever there was natural talent Oscar was brimming with it,” he said.

“We do 100 mile rides at the start of the season and at the end of the season and Oscar was always there and wanted to take part in them.

“He would sit on that wheel for 100 miles and then try to jump me for the sprint.”

However, Rob said the top four finish had exceeded their wildest expectations for the local talent.

“Even finishing the Tour de France is a massive achievement,” he said.

Now he hopes the “Onley effect” could inspire the next generation.

“I am really hoping that the young kids are seeing this and going – well, if it can happen to him, it can happen to me and jump on their bikes again,” he said.

“We definitely have seen a downturn in kids participating and I am hoping this gives us that massive push again for kids to get back out on their bikes.”

Scottish Borders Council’s deputy leader Scott Hamilton said he had no doubt Onley’s performance could help the next generation of riders from the region.

“The Tour de France starts in Edinburgh in 2027, so this is an amazing time for Scottish cycling, and Oscar coming to the fore will undoubtedly inspire many young people to take up cycling,” he said.

“With a number of cycling clubs around the Borders, including Kelso Wheelers where Oscar started his journey – and the support of our sports development team – there are lots of opportunities to get into cycling in the Scottish Borders.”