Fintan Ryan has plenty of time to celebrate in Tynagh, Co Galway. He's the newest Irish elite cycling champion, claiming gold and the coveted champion's jersey in the criterium discipline this evening (All photos by Toby Watson)

An Irish track international most of the time but able to win big races on the road, Fintan Ryan has claimed gold in the National Criterium Championships in Tynagh, Co Galway, this evening.

Ryan, who rides for the Kingspan Track Team, was too fast for the other fancied riders in the men's field at the end of a tight contest run on the Pallas karting track circuit.

He took the Irish elite title from Luke Smith (BioRacer-DHL-FRS) and Darnell Moore (Caldwell Cycles).

Smith's Bioracer-DHL-FRS squad took the team prize, with last year's champion Dillon Corkery part of that line-up and so coming away with a gold for the second year in succession.

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However, individual gold is the one everyone wanted and Ryan took it when the chance came.

While he is a track rider he also has a great kick at the end of a hard road race; one that he has used to great effective this evening and in the past.

As a junior he was national road race champion and earlier this year he took a great stage win and the leader's jersey at the Tour of Ulster.

More to follow including a women's report.