Banbridge CC are pleased to once again promote the Banbridge Criterium for 2017 on Friday 12th May. Following the success of the event in 2016 when it hosted the Irish National Championships we are pleased to confirm the event will use the same popular 1km circuit, starting and finishing on Banbridge town’s main high street – Newry St – to bring the fast paced action of crit racing to the town centre where it belongs.
The line-up for the 2017 Banbridge Criterium has now
been released and it looks set to be another exciting night of action packed
racing in Banbridge town this Friday evening, 12th May.
Multiple time winner on the short 1km course, Roger Aiken, returns once again. In 2016 he was team mate to winner and National Champion Mark Dowling, however he returns now with an independent unattached licence and relieved of team obligations and will have free reign to fight for another win. Also returning is John Buller – the Banbridge CC teenager who put in a brave display last year to secure a hugely popular team win at the National Championships. Another local, Lindsay Watson, will be a hotly tipped favourite with a string of strong podium finishes this season already including a win at the recent Killinchey GP making him one of the most consistent riders of the year to date. He’ll be joined by the impressive junior riders on his PowerHouse sport outfit; Xeno Young & Adam Ward.
Chris McGlinchey of Chain Reaction Cycles has turned into one of the strongest riders in the country in recent years, earning him multiple appointments for National duty with the Irish Team and is sure to be challenging for the win, as will Glenn Kinning of Kinning Cycles who has a history of strong criterium performances and was one of the most aggressive riders on the Banbridge circuit in 2016. Kinning is joined by teammate Gary Cranston, making a return after a quiet season in 2016, he’s already tasted victory this year at the Coombes Connor Memorial in Drogheda and has strong pedigree in criterium racing.
Other notable entries include Gary Donaldson of Omagh Wheelers who is enjoying a great run of form in recent weeks and full squads from both Newry Wheelers and Dromara CC who will look to use their numbers for an advantage.
Action kicks off at 6:50pm with the Under 14 support race, followed immediately by the under 16 race at 7:20pm. The feature senior event will be started by Amragh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council Deputy Lord Mayor Paul Greenfield at 8pm sharp.
A limited number of spaces are still available for the senior event and entries will be accepted on the night. For further details please contact aarwallace@gmail.com
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We are also please announce the addition of two support youth races catering for the Under 16 and Under 14
categories. Both the youth races will be supported by the David McCall Foundation who will be providing winner’s trophies for the first boy and girl in each race.
The main feature senior race will cater for A1, A2 & A3 categories including juniors.
Pre entry to the event will open on Monday 1st May at 6pm via the Cycling Ireland website. The senior race will be limited to 60 riders with pre-entry closing on Wednesday 10th May, or once all places have been bought. Entries to the youth races will be accepted on the night. Entry to the senior race will be £15 with youth entries priced at £5.
Always a very popular event, early entry is advised for all senior riders. A budget has been reserved to accommodate prizes for the first 6 riders overall with hot spot prime laps and unplaced rider prizes also available
While at first glance the circuit may look flat and relatively straight forward, a sharp descent, fast & tight corners, and a drag onto the start/finishing straight that will sap the legs has proven to provide both competitors and spectators some exciting racing over the years – it’s little wonder the TV coverage of last year’s event proved hugely popular!