James Curry giving it socks in the national championships last July. The 19-year old is set for a huge season ahead in France after joining AC Bisontine where he should have access to some of the biggest events on the domestic scene (Photo: Toby Watson)
By Brian Canty
James Curry might not be as established as some of the other names from the Banbridge CC stable but you’ll be hearing a lot more about him in the coming season.
The teenager was conspicuous by his presence on rides at the An Post Chain Reaction team in Calpe last month and wasn’t afraid to stick his nose into the wind throughout.
Curry will race for French DN2 team AC Bisontine in 2017 alongside fellow Irish riders Philip Lavery, Ryan Reilly and Cameron McIntyre.
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He’s hoping to hit the ground running and make an impact sooner rather than later.
Of course, his ability to showcase what he can do was given a huge boost recently with the news he was selected to receive Emerald Funding.
A national champion in MTB and cyclocross, Curry's opting for a full-time road career perhaps speaks volumes for the lack of avenues open to our best off road riders. Above, left, at the 2015 XC MTB World Championships with Swiss legend Nino Schurter and Irish team mate Gareth McKee.
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“I’m going well, I’m getting there now and I’ll be full-time this year,” he said.
“I’ll be with a DN2 team but we’ll be racing big races against DN1 teams and hopefully do some UCI races.
“I’m just going on what Matt has told me as regards what to expect in races,” he said of another product of the Banbridge machine Matt Teggart who has overcome some serious setbacks to progress through France and onto An Post-Chainreaction this year.
As what his goals are for the season ahead, Curry said: “The Rás, and the nationals as well; to get some good results in France are the goals.”
Having raced off-road for the majority of the last few years Curry felt that discipline no longer offered him an opportunity in the sport.
“I just feel like I don’t know if MTB will get me anywhere so I’ll try the road and I just feel it’s a better option for me to go with more pro teams,” he said.
“In mountain-biking you need to be making it in the top 50 in the world cups and there aren’t that many teams that pay riders.
“So if I get a good year this year and get onto a Continental team and then you’ve Aqua Blue Sport waiting in the wings…
“I just feel mountain-biking isn’t going to get me there,” he continued.
“You’ve got to go to World-Cup mountain biking and it’s hard because you have to have loads of money to go to all the races to get UCI points to be at the front of the grid.”
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