Kennedy takes biggest win in Co Clare as breakaway just holds on

Paul Kennedy took a fine win in the feature event at the Crotty Cup in Kilmihil, Co Clare at the weekend. The Newcastle West CC man escaped late in the day with Mike Storan (Moda Sports-Kingdom Endurance) and Sean Yelverton (Mego RAW Cycles) and beat both in the sprint that decided it.

Paul Kennedy took his biggest ever win at the weekend when he emerged victorious in the Crotty Cup, promoted by West Clare CC.

The Newcastle West CC man looks to be in some great form at the moment as 24 hours after taking his maiden win in the A1 ranks he was amongst the early escapees in the Shay Elliott Memorial in Co. Wicklow.

Kennedy, who will start the An Post Rás for the first time at the weekend, was one of three riders who came to the line to contest the sprint in Kilmihil, Co. Clare.

He edged runner-up Mike Storan (Moda Sports/Kingdom Endurance) and Sean Yelverton (Mego RAW Cycles racing team) after going clear with them on the final lap.

With a strong field present for it, the six-lap (13.5k) race was a cagey affair with A1, A2 and A3 riders present.

The race-winning move came with less than 10 kilometres to go when Kennedy attacked on the short, sharp hill before the finish which brought Storan away and later, Yelverton joined.

That trio had to work to keep the gap on the chasers and Storan did much of the driving in an effort to establish their advantage.