Last week we were excited to announce that Banbridge CC will enter a team in this years Ras Tailteann for the first time in our 80-year history. We were also delighted to share the news of one our supporters for the event, Galibier.
The next supporter of the Banbridge CC team for the Ras is already very well acquainted with both Banbridge CC and the Ras Tailteann itself. Downey Cycles of Dromore have long supported Banbridge CC. Owned and run as a family business, the Downey family are of course synonymous with Banbridge CC with Seamus, Sean and Mark Downey all having represented the club with distinction. All three Downey’s have also competed at the Ras Tailteann as part of the Irish National team, with Seamus winning a stage and wearing the race leader’s jersey in 1984.
This year Downey Cycles is supporting the team by supplying water bottles and spares for the riders. If the current spell of good weather continues the riders could easily be rattling through more than 30 bottles per day. Rumour has it some of the riders have even been taking part in target practice to ensure used bottles are quickly dispatched back in the team car, although a supplier of protective clothing for the unsuspecting support crew in the car is yet to be found!
Already a strong advocate for developing riders and a sponsor of the Downey Cycles Cup for the club’s youth riders, Seamus Downey was delighted to support the team, commenting “It’s great to see the club making this step and entering a team for the Ras. Not just for the current crop of riders, but also for our younger riders too. It gives them something to aspire to and aim for over the next few years.” “It’s a race that several of our riders have been successful in over the years, and hopefully that will continue in the years ahead. Seeing them doing it in the Banbridge jersey would be very special.”
Downey Cycles, located just outside Dromore, Co Down, carries a large stock of bicycles for all abilities. Specialising in performance racing bikes, with a particular interest in the leisure cyclist and also in family bikes, catering to both children and adults with friendly advice and the personal touch their number one priority. With the calibre of experience and advice on offer it’s your ideal destination if you’re in the market for a bicycle or accessories.
The club would like to thank all the team at Downey Cycles for their continued support.
Seamus and Mark Downey
Team Downey at the finish of Mark’s first Rás in 2016.
Sean Downey (L) with team mate and Tour de France stage and green jersey winner Sam Bennet (R) at the 2012 Rás.
Seamus Downey in the race leader’s yellow jersey at the 1984 Rás
