Friday, January 27, 2017

Local cyclist for world championships

Just a reminder that Kilcullen Cycling Club member JB Murphy will be Ireland's only rider in the World Cyclocross Championship in Bieles, Luxembourg.

In the event tomorrow, Saturday, morning, JB will be riding the Junior race over a very testing course that is mainly in a gravel pit and a park in Belval University. The race starts at 11am local time.

JB is a member of the Murphy Surveys Cycling Squad and is very grateful for all their help over the past three years. John Walker will be looking after the mechanical side of things with the help of his dad Liam.

Also on the team travelling is JB's dad Brian who is driving the camper van, assisted by his brother Damien.

Cyclocross is an extremely difficult sport where riders cycle over a rough terrain and at times have to dismount and carry their bike over various obstacles and even run up some steps.

The race will be about an hour in duration and the weather can play a big part as to how the course holds up with mud, sand and even snow being some of the problems that will face the field of about 80 riders.

JB is ranked 33rd in the world and can improve his ranking with a good result.

In the photo, courtesy Hollywood Pictures, JB is wearing his national jersey as Junior Champion in a recent race in Stormont.