IRISH riders carving a career for themselves across the western world are a regular success story. To do so in China is a very different challenge but it is one which Tuam native Austin Melia has not only excelled at but has also opened doors for others along the way.

“I’ve often found if you want to find someone with drive and fire in their belly, you have to go west of the Shannon,” remarked Michael Connolly. His and Arthur Judge’s stories about their Chinese ventures are intertwined with trailblazer Melia, who first arrived there in 2010 after several years spent competing on the North American circuit.