Results galore for Banbridge CC

The terrain doesn’t matter, Banbridge CC had winners on it this past weekend.

Kicking the weekend off on Friday evening was the Ulster Criterium Championships in Lurgan. As has become expected there were yellow Banbridge jerseys in every age category.

Dominating the U14 race was young Mark Downey, crossing the line clear of the field in the uphill sprint.

The senior event was the who’s who of Ulster criterium racing with the province’s best lining up for the 2010 title. Banbridge’s Peter Lilley lined up just days after returning from Belgium and despite suffering from a cold Peter was determined to put on a good show was more than capable of matching the best over 45 minutes on the tough but short circuit.

Victor on the night was the Belgium based Peter Hawkins, with Lilley hot on his heels in what was left of the elite bunch.

Saturday brought the Irish Youth Track Championships in Sundrive Park, Dublin. Banbridge riders have been a revelation on the track in 2010 with riders breaking national records and collecting national titles already.

The Banbridge youths were determined not to be outdone by their senior counterparts and rolled up to their start lines prepared to leave their marks. Gilford lass Shenna McKiverigan came home with a gold and two bronze medals for her efforts.

The club believes that Shenna may actually be the first Banbridge lady to compete for the club at an Irish track championship event. Going by her performances she’ll be back for plenty more in the future!

Also hauling in the medals once again was Mark Downey, obviously not feeling the effects of racing on the Friday night. Mark also managed a gold medal and won another two silver medals too to keep it company.

Also competing for the club was James Curry and while he may not have lifted any medals will have been satisfied with the several PB’s he set in his first year as an U14.

James has had a very solid first year as an U14 and is sure to be at the sharp end of the racing next year.

Also on Saturday was the Madigan GP in Carrickfergus, a road race held over a gruelling circuit that was sure to separate the wheat from the chaff.

Banbridge had Adrian Finnigan and Kevin McAlinden competeing. Adrian is known to be an aggressive rider in these races but it was Kevin who was lifting the envelope at the end of the day with a fine fourth place. Kevin has also been having a super season so far, both at open and at a club racing level.

Sunday’s road race was the Tour of Armagh, a Classic with huge reputation. Peter Lilley once again showed fine form and awareness making it into the break of the day early on and finished more than nine minutes ahead of the main field, finishing in eighth place.

Returning to his roots, Matt Adair was once again performing with knobbly tires as he travelled across the water to the Scottish XC mountain bike series.

Just as he does at home, Matt dominated the Junior race, winning with a healthy margin and earning a well deserved nap on the ferry on route home.

Banbridge CC would like to congratulate all the riders on their fantastic results and medals, a fantastic accomplishment over one weekend.