James Curry celebrates after taking a fine victory in the the XC National Junior Championships in July. He'll be the man to watch at the cyclocross title race on Sunday in Swords. (Picture: Sean Rowe)
By Brian Canty
James Curry admitted he was “devastated” to finish runner-up to Rory Maguire in the junior category at the National Cyclocross Championships last year.
But he is keen to make up for that in Sunday’s title race showdown in Swords.
Curry only turned 17 last week and the second year junior from Banbridge said he’s expecting to be right in the mix again.
Having spent 10 days at the World Cycling Centre MTB Development Camp in Aigle last August alongside fellow Irishman and rival Paddy Michel (Team Worc) he has every right to be confident of doing well.
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David Conroy has been successful on the home scene in recent years and rode the junior support race at the UCI World Cup in the UK last month. He should be squarely in the mix on Sunday and Curry regards him as a strong challenger.
“I'm in good form at the moment, though I was a bit sick over Christmas,” he said.
“I took a few days off but I’m recovered now and back into good shape.
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“I did the Ulster Championships last month and won that so I’m expecting to be within the top three again on Sunday.”
Of last year’s silver medal he said: “Coming second to Rory by 10 seconds was devastating.
Curry leads Cameron McIntyre in a recent competitive outing and believes a strong challenge for junior gold will come from his fellow Banbridge CC rider (Photo: Toby Watson)
“Later on I knew it was a great result, considering I was a first year junior.
“But nothing is certain in this sport.
"I expect strong challenges to come from my club mate Cameron McIntyre, David Conroy (Donnybrook Landscapes -Scott) and Paddy (Michel of Team Worc).
“The plan will be to follow anyone who is at the front and I’ll attack if I can on the last few laps.
"I just hope I’ve improved from last year. I’ve certainly been training more so we’ll see.”
