Banbridge Cycling Club is one of the giants of the domestic scene, with many of its riders going on to race for Ireland and it always has a small army of officials working behind the scenes to keep the show on the road.
The club very sadly lost one of those stalwarts in 2019 when Alan Towell passed away. But his name will live on a new race being promoted this season for the first time by the Co Down cycling club. It promises to be a significant event this year that will decide one of the biggest honours on the home scene.
The Alan Towell Memorial Road Race and Alan Towell Memorial Cup take place on August 19th in Alan's hometown of Dromore, Co Down. It will be the final round of the Cycling Ireland National Road Series, which often produces fireworks as the strongest riders race for victory on the day and overall honours.
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Alan was a lifelong member of Banbridge CC, joining the club in 1973 and racing in its colours through the 1980s. He was awarded the Belmont Cup as 'Club Person of the Year' in 2015 in recognition of his voluntary work over the years. He also received a posthumous award in 2019 from Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon Council in recognition of his lifetime service to sport.
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“Alan was an ever-present face at Banbridge CC events and a key member to our organising team," said club chairman and event director, Aaron Wallace.
"His loss was felt throughout the wider cycling community, and I have no doubt a memorial event of this standing will be welcomed and supported by the riders and cycling supporters alike for years to come. I look forward to joining Alan’s family as we remember and honour his life with the sport he so loved.”
Alan's daughter, Christina Towell, is following the family tradition in cycling and she said the family were delighted the new event was being launched to honour her father.
“Daddy had a real passion for cycling, and in particular Banbridge CC," she said. "As a family, we’re very proud and know he would have been hugely honoured to have the club remember him with a memorial event and a beautiful cup such as this.”
