Banbridge CC are pleased to once again promote the Banbridge Criterium for 2018 on Friday 6th July. Following the success of the event in previous years, including 2016 when it hosted the Irish National Championships, the club have confirmed that 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.
Also confirmed are the inclusion of two support youth races catering for the Under 16 and Under 14 categories. The youth races will be supported by the David McCall Foundation, Maneely Mc Cann Accountants and Rodgers Stoves Rathfriland who are kindly providing prizes for these events.
The main feature senior race will cater for A1, A2 & A3 categories.
Pre entry to the event will open on Wednesday 27th June via the Cycling Ireland website. The senior race will be limited to 60 riders with pre-entry closing on Wednesday 4th July, 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 for A2’s & Juniors.
While at first glance the circuit may look flat and relatively straight forward, a sharp descent, fast and 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.
Racing for the youth will kick off at 18:45 with the under 14’s facing a 20 minute race, and the under 16’s will follow at 19:15 and will race for approx. 30 minutes. The main senior feature race will start at 20:00, with the race being started officially by Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Julie Flaherty. The feature race will last for approx. 50 minutes, featuring 2 x prime laps.
Sign on for all races will open at 17:45 in the Downshire Arms Hotel, closing 15 mins sharp before each race.