Jason Prendergast romps in at Westport Crit for fifth win of year; now eyeing Suir Valley

Jason Prendergast leads his team's clean sweep of the podium at the Westport Criterium (Photo: www.jimmymcelroy.com)

Jason Prendergast romped to a marvellous victory in the Westport Criterium last night before a huge crowd on a perfect evening for racing.

The Liquidworx-Fitscience rider got the better of his teammate Chris Reilly, while Paddy Clarke made it a 1-2-3 for the Ballina-based team when he led in the bunch.

Prendergast, an Irish U23 international and former youth Olympian, lapped the field with Reilly after the two of them got clear early, taking full advantage of the massed-start event which was 45 minutes and three laps.

The Leaving Cert student from Louisburgh, Co Mayo, instigated the move and was quickly joined by Reilly, one of the few county men to make an impact at the An Post Rás back in May.

It was Prendergast’s fifth win of the season but the one he enjoyed most, he said.

“The atmosphere was intense,” he said afterwards.

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“It was great to win in front of people who always have supported me on the bike.

“And to win for the family and Lisa, my girlfriend, and friends; it was a great feeling and it really was a tough race. I had been off the bike a week previous so I was a little worried but the legs came around.”

He will now target a good result at the Suir Valley Three Day in two weeks time.

“The Suir Valley is a big aim for the whole team,” he explained.

“Obviously I'll have a good go at the crit there on stage 3, but a good GC place is something else I'm looking to.

“We've a very strong team where any one of us could get a stage. And there's two or three of us who have nothing to be afraid of in terms on winning it outright. It'll be a great race so I’m looking forward to it.”