Rider News: James Dunlop Retires

James Dunlop, a well known rider in the North West, retires from cycle racing

After a troubled season first category racer James Dunlop retires from cycle racing. The 21 year old rider from Lancaster who suffered a horrendous injury three years ago never followed through with his early promise as a junior after numerous ankle operations. Riding for Herbalife/Wheelbase and subsequently Biketreks Racing Academy Dunlop, was tactically astute and a selfless rider.

Despite his selfless riding, he managed to gain results in his own right achieving his first category license in 2012 taking 1st at the Capenwray 2/3/4 road race and also victory at Preston Arena Elite world champs.

Dunlopâ€™s career took a turn for the worse when he was disqualified from the Salt Ayre evening criterium in which he won and celebrated with an expletive which the crowd of 3 at the finish found incredibly offensive, this cause much controversy in the northwest cycling scene. James felt now was the peak of his cycling career and time to bow out on a high after a successful 2013 season which included getting back on after a crash in the Wales GP Premier Calendar and managing to just retain his 1st category license.

He says â€˜I feel this is a great way to finish a long arduous career in cycling and would like to thank my fans, my 251 twitter followers and of course my manager and mentor Phil Cottrillâ€™.”