Best of Irish: James Curry takes the chequered flag to win gold at the National Cyclocross Championships in Swords, north Dublin (Photo: Sean Rowe)
Newly crowned junior national cyclocross champion James Curry said his win today is all the sweeter because he was beaten into second by a whisker last year.
The Banbridge CC man was runner-up to Rory Maguire (Phoenix CC) 12 months ago in Belfast.
But today, the 17-year-old had his moment of glory on a typically gruelling day of action on Dublin’s northside.
“I’m absolutely delighted,” said an exhausted Curry afterwards.
“Especially after coming second last year, it’s great to get the win this time. It's really just fantastic.”
Two great lads: Curry leads team mate Cameron McIntyre in recent race action. Illness meant McIntyre did not feature today (Photo: Toby Watson)
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He had come into the race on the back of good form but told stickybottle that he’d been sick recently, so he was unsure how he would fare. He need not have worried.
“I was hoping to get in the medals but to get first is great, I’m really over the moon.
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“On the first lap David Conroy (eventual runner-up) led but he made a few mistakes and fell off.
“I led from the second lap (of six) and kept the heart rate high and kept the legs turning.
"That’s all I was concentrating on. It was good.
Changing bikes in the champs pits; very reassuring to have the well oiled machine that is Banbridge CC looking after you (Photo: Toby Watson)
“But the course was tough; it was a lot harder than last year.
“And it started to cut up after a while so you had to watch that.
"There was more running and it was a lot more physical as well.
“The season has gone very well for me," he continued.
"I’ve been winning all the races, planning to peak for this.
“So now I’ll take a break before the MTB starts up again in the next couple months.”
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