With wins in top amateur races in France, he could probably have secured a professional contract with a continental cycling team but preferred to remain in Britain.

Curran began riding for his local cycling club Stockton Wheelers and at the age of 14 completed a ten-mile time trial at Crathorne, North Yorkshire in 24–49.

[4] It was obvious he had talent when in 1977 he dominated the English schools national grass and track championship winning all three individual titles in the over-15-years category.

Impressive results, winning several national track events led to selection for England, at the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

In his first season, he won the British National professional Criterium championships and was 6th in the Kellogg's Tour of Britain, finishing ahead of Sean Kelly.

He went down with double pneumonia and subsequently missed half of the season but bounced back in 1992 finishing 3rd in the British Road Race Championship.