Banbridge CC continue to impress on the road and track

BANBRIDGE CC's results on the track continue to impress with the trio of Simon Curry, Gareth Rogers and Terry Mackin landing a bronze medal at the Irish National Team Sprint championships in Dublin on Saturday.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Aug 2010, 12:11 BST
Updated 16th Aug 2010, 14:03 BST

Terry has already been setting new standards and breaking records on the track this year while both Gareth and Simon are relative newcomers to the discipline.

Securing a podium spot, despite a lack of ‘track time’ together as a team, is a massive accomplishment and will drive the trio forward in search of a higher step next year.

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As always, Banbridge CC’s road riders had a busy weekend. On Saturday, local club West Down Wheelers hosted the West Down GP in Katesbridge. Banbridge CC had Liam McKiveragan, Kevin McAlinden, Don Travers, Scott Daly and Adrian Finnigan – who had the misfortune to crash and break a collarbone in this very race last year.

A last minute change of course was required after a large section of the course was resurfaced, leaving it unsuitable for passage by bicycle and leaving the race organisers and officials to rely on their knowledge of the local roads to provide an alternate circuit.

Each one of the Banbridge riders were active in the numerous attacks in an attempt to beat the sprinters but with a hard working bunch were determined to get a gallop on the long straight into Katesbridge. Matt Blayney of North Down CC crossed the line first to claim the victory.

Also on Saturday, Maryland Wheelers hosted a race on the closed roads of the Ulster Grand Prix motorbike circuit. The race was to be held in memory of the late Davy McCall who was tragically killed when hit by a motorist when taking part in a cycle event.

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Also a motorcyclist, Davy would have been approving of the corroboration between Maryland Wheelers and the Ulster GP organisers.

Representing Banbridge CC in the race was Peter Lilley who finished in the top 10 while Giant Asia professional David McCann was the winner.

Sunday brought the final day of the Irish Downhill Mountain Bike Championships in Killbroney Park. While a few of Banbridge’s cross country mountain bike aces tried their hand at the downhill competition it was left to the expertise of Gareth McKee to represent the club at the sharp end of the race.

After an eventful Saturday during the seeding runs which saw Gareth crash spectacularly at high speed and damage his bike, he managed to dust himself off and finish the final in a very respectable 8th position, a little over six seconds behind winner Daniel Wolfe.