2025 produced another successful Banbridge CC club championship and racing season, with nearly 60 competitive members competing for 24 perpetual cup and trophy titles. With an age range from under 10 to over 70, and from beginner level to Olympians, it was also great to see the range of diversity of competitors and membership.

The season kicked off in April with the traditional MAC 2-Up Time Trials, marking the start of another exciting year of competition. Unfortunately, the second week of racing was postponed due to poor weather conditions – a sign of things to come. Unfortunately, the last season’s Thomas White Memorial, which also includes the Luton Cup and Jack Carson competitions, was canceled in September due to safety concerns arising from forecast heavy rain. As a result, those 3 competitions and cups will not be awarded 2025 cups.

It’s always good to see at the start of the season races who have made significant strides over the winter months to improve their performances for next season. It was undeniable that one rider had invested significant effort and came out of the blocks flying in his bid to collect silver. Michael Larkin not only won the first individual TT handicap event of the season but followed it up the very next week with another, effectively claiming the first 3 handicap TT events on the calendar. Unsurprisingly this gave Mick an early lead in the club championship, and his consistency and continued improvement throughout the season meant he was in contention for overall honors by the end of the racing year.

Many of the regular contenders also spent the season hovering around the top of the league table. Former Club League winner Aaron Parks is never far away and with another remarkably consistent season scoring high points in club road racing events he once again collects the Donaghy Cup for the Bar Roadman’s (best all-rounder) – a competition of the last 4 years 3.

Ruth McKee once again finished the year as the leading woman in the league and holds the Mayne Cup as the Women’s Bar for 3rd.^rd a year on the trot. The emergence of the McArdle brothers in the club championship was an exciting development, although with both missing most of the season due to maternity, their challenge for overall honors was somewhat hampered! An insurmountable advantage if it had the ability to compete in more events throughout the year. This bodes well for an interesting 2026…

Fortunes have changed this year for one of the most consistent performers in the club league over the past few years. While Mark Kendall’s consistency didn’t translate to much in the way of silverware, with only one cut needed on the Denison Cup in 2022, that trend should have been corrected in 2025. it was Mark’s high average score across all events that resulted in a top of the table at the conclusion of the tournament with 222 points – a very slim 2 point lead over Mick’s 220 points. Aaron Park’s completes the top 3 with a total of 190 points.

The final 2025 Banbridge CC League Table standings are below, along with all competition and cup winners ’25. All winners will be announced and presented at the club’s annual Awards Night and Social Evening on Saturday 8th.^th November. Those wishing to attend should contact Toni Hannigan at the earliest opportunity, but no later than the 29th.^th October, by text or email. All monies must be paid at the time of booking to confirm your place. The cost is £12 per head which includes a spit roast dinner and entertainment by DJ Robbie — so excellent value for money!

2025 Club Championship Final Table

2025 Club Competition and Cup Winners