Report by Gareth McKee

Banbridge Cycling Club’s off road riders where in action at the 3rd round of the Ulster Mountain bike XC series in Lady Dixon Park, Belfast.  The rain which had fallen over the previous days and weeks had made the course extremely muddy and slippy, meaning the riders were in for some difficult racing conditions.

First off for Banbridge CC and racing in the under 14 category was Mark and James Buller.  Both lads had a hard race but finished a very respectable 3rd and 8th.  Up next was the turn of older brother John Buller in the under 16 category.  John had a great battle for the podium however had to settle for 3rd.

There was a large and competitive field racing in the senior races.  Banbridge CC’s Nathan Sturrock got the ball rolling with a terrific 2nd position in the Senior 3 category.  This is a great results for Nathan and follows a great season of consistent riding both off and on road.   Simon Curry was up against stiff competition in the Senior 2 category and finished a solid 9th place.

The Senior 1 race would see Gareth McKee racing with tough conditions and tough opposition in the shape of his training partner and fellow Banbridge resident Lindsay Watson and Graham Boyd.  After a great battle and some exciting racing Gareth finished on the podium in 3rd place.

James Curry was off in Junior race, starting as a firm favourite after a string of impressive results already this season. However James’s chain was coming off throughout the race, hampering his progress though the Senior 1 field, he still managed to pass all Senior 1 riders up to 4th whilst winning the Junior category. James is now leading the Ulster XC series going into the next round.