Banbridge CC nominated for top cycling awards

Banbridge Cycling Club and Banbridge CC rider Gareth McKee have both been nominated in this year’s Cycling Ireland Awards.
Gareth McKee, who is up for a top award.Gareth McKee, who is up for a top award.
Gareth McKee, who is up for a top award.

Following a fantastic year for the club, Banbridge CC has been nominated for Club of the Year, whilst Gareth McKee is up for the Best Domestic Based Male Rider.

Both on and off road, its riders have performed at the very highest level, and perhaps the highlight of the year for the club was having two riders represent Ireland at this year’s World Mountain Bike Championships in Andorra following a season competing and winning at both the British and Irish National Points Series races. That team was also managed by Banbridge CC member Simon Curry.

At the Irish National MTB Championships, there were no less than five Banbridge CC riders standing on the top step and being awarded gold medals, named as National Champions. This is believed the most National Champions awarded by any one club in a single event.

On the road, Banbridge CC riders have regularly stepped up and claimed victories but with a strong focus on developing young riders, the season has brought progress on a national and international level for some of the club’s riders, including Mark Downey, Matthew Teggart, James Curry, Cameron McIntyre, John Buller and Shenna McKiverigan

Gareth McKee started his season off on the road, claiming victory on the opening stage of the Tour of the North at Easter where he would claim the first leader’s jersey of the race from Dutchman Thijs Nijvelct. He would go on to dominate the Irish MTB scene, claiming numerous wins at the Irish MTB National Points Series and becoming Irish Elite Champion in both the XC Olympic and Marathon National Championships. He would also compete at every round of the British NPS series where he would finish on the podium at Cathkin Braes in Glasgow – the first Irish rider to podium on at a round of a British NPS.

The points collected at both the Britsh NPS Series and his National Championship victories would earn the Banbridge rider a place at the World Elite MTB XC Championships in Vallnord, Andorra.

CONDOLENCE

The members of Banbridge CC would like to offer their condolences to club member Jon Shepard following the passing of his father. The members thoughts are with Jon and his family during this time of sorrow.