It’s been a champion start to the new year for Banbridge CC

As reported in last week’s LEADER, they have yet another Irish champion with James Curry winning the Irish Junior Cyclocross title last weekend in Swords, County Dublin.

Last year, James finished second in this race and he was determined to go one better this year.

From the start it was apparent that James was on a good day and he made light of the tough conditions to take the title with a couple of minutes to spare - much to the delight of his father Simon, who has put a lot of effort in behind the scenes to help James achieve his goal.

Clubmate Cameron McIntyre was also hotly tipped to take a medal in this race but had to withdraw due to illness.

In the Vets race Don Travers came home in 9th place despite concentrating more on running these days - what could this man do if he was back on the bike full time?

In the Senior race, former club member David Montgomery, now riding for the Chain Reaction Cycles team, won despite having to start well down the grid and then being held up behind a crash on the first lap.

A large group of Banbridge CC members made their way to the event to add support to the riders and it was great to see defending National Senior champion Roger Aiken manning the power washer to clean the riders bikes in the pit area along with the the other club members.

The club would like to send a big thank-you to all who travelled down to support and help out on what was another great day for Banbridge CC.