The final round of the 2024 Banbridge CC League was promoted on Sunday as part of the Thomas White Memorial open time trial event, which also incorporated the final round of the Cycling Ireland Para-cycling National Series. As has become the norm in recent years, there were two Banbridge CC club competitions on offer as part of the event; the Lutton Cup handicapped TT, and the Jack Carson Cup for fastest ‘veteran’ rider.
Despite having curtailed his competitive outings slightly in 2024, Erwin McKee showed his quality by recording a blistering time of 19:40 for 10 miles. It was the fastest time recorded by a Banbridge CC rider on the day and more than enough to secure the 2024 Jack Carson Cup. Chris Burns, who has been focusing his efforts on international competition returned to the club racing scene and showed how his TT form has improved by beating his target time by over 4 minutes with a time of 23:09, which earned him the Lutton Cup victory.
To allow for limited absence the overall league counts the top 11 scores in a riders season, permitting them to drop their lowest scores or miss a few rounds due to holidays or sickness. Two riders managed to compete in and score points in 13 of the 14 rounds over the season – quite the commitment! It is no surprise that both riders, Ruth McKee and Philip Castles, enjoyed some well earned reward for their dedication to the league.
One of the most consistent riders in recent years also happens to be one of the most committed to club duties off the bike. Mark Kendall scored 241 points over the 11 rounds he competed in, which left him 3rd overall in the league table. Only 2 points ahead of Mark was the standout performer in the early months of the season, Mick Martin. Mick competed in 9 rounds, and his total score of 243 goes some way to demonstrate his hit rate of high scores at each outing. Philip Castles had amassed more than enough points to comfortably win the overall league before the final round such was his dominance in the later half of the season. In only his first year competing in the Banbridge CC league he accumulated a total of 275 points.
Defending her title of the Mayne Cup from 2023 is Ruth McKee who once again was the leading woman in the league with a total of 224 points. Also defending their title in 2024 is young Riley Smith, who wins the Downey Cycles Cup for a remarkable third year running as the leading youth rider in the league.
The Banbridge CC league and the Banbridge Inter-Club Race League have gone from strength to strength, catering for and nurturing racers of all abilities in a welcoming environment and is widely regarded as one of the most successful club leagues in the province, and beyond. No less that 859 entries were processed between the Banbridge Inter-Club Race League and Banbridge CC club league races in 2024, with a total of 47 Banbridge CC members competed and scored points in the 2024 league, including several new members who were a welcome addition. It was also encouraging to see 3 women Banbridge CC competitors on the top 15 overall; 2 of which are new members, sisters Anna and Carla McArdle, with Anna even winning 2 competitive cups in her first season!
Massive thanks must go to our club race secretary, Toni Hannigan, and the entire club race committee who give up their time to ensure the continued promotion of the club events, and all of the many volunteers who assist with the multitude of roles required to safely and effectively host the events throughout the season.
Bravo all!
Cover photo courtesy of Suzanne Byrne.
2024 Banbridge CC League Table – Final standings
