Alan Towell Memorial 2025

Banbridge CC host their final senior open road race of the season on July 27^th with the Alan Towell Memorial in Dromore, Co. Down.  Formally hosting the finale of Cycling Ireland’s National Road Series, it has a habit of attracting a high calibre national field of riders.

The Club were honoured and excited to announce the launch of the Alan Towell Memorial in 2023 however due to the impact of a last-minute storm the launch was delayed to last year, 2024. The inaugural winner of the Alan Towell Memorial Cup was Seth Dunwoody who has been enjoying a very successful early international career, and having won the Dromore event became part of an elite group of riders who have won all 3 of Banbridge CC’s hosted open road races.

Alan Towell was a lifelong member of Banbridge CC, joining in 1973 and competing with distinction throughout the 1980’s. As a volunteer, Alan contributed immensely to the club from a young age and in various roles. Hosting a national event in Alan’s memory is a fitting tribute to his valued contribution to Banbridge Cycling Club and to the sport of cycling.

The event will be based in Alan’s hometown of Dromore, using the tried and tested popular 18.5 mile circuit used in previous editions of Cycling Ireland’s Road National Series. Starting in Dromore town, winding and rolling through the villages of Kinallen and Dromara with the Mourne Mountains as a backdrop, riders make their way toward Hillsborough before they turn back once again in the direction of Dromore. With the climbs of Ballykeel Hill, Kinallen and Ballykeel scattered around the circuit, mass bunch finishes are an unlikely outcome for most races. As per last year, the  race finish will be hosted village of Kinallen which is on the circuit itself.

As a Cycling Ireland National Grade Event 3 races will be promoted, giving all 3 road categories a dedicated race and offering elevated points for the top 20 in all races. In addition to the Alan Towell Memorial Cup, the first junior on the day will also be awarded the Sean McGreevy Memorial Trophy.  Having reached its 50-year Anniversary recently, the McGreevy family have lovingly refurbished the Sean McGreevy Memorial trophy, giving new lease of life into a trophy that has been awarded to some of the very best juniors in the country over the last 50 years.

The C1 race will complete 4 laps for a total distance of 83 miles/132 km. The C2 race will complete 3 laps for a race distance of approx. 65 miles/104km. The C3 race will complete 2 laps, giving them a race distance of 46 miles/74km.

Entry for the event is strictly via pre-registration only. Entries close at 8pm on Friday 25th July.