Luke Smith tops quality podium at Brendan Campbell Memorial, Co Meath

*Luke Smith of Moynalty has topped a quality podium in the main event at the Brendan Campbell Memorial in Co Meath (Photo: Caroline Kerley)*

Luke Smith (Moynalty CC) has topped a quality podium at the Brendan Campbell Memorial in Co Meath today. The C3 Kitty Campbell Memorial went to James Griffin of Waterford Racing Club.

In the main event - 12 laps of the circuit in Donore, for a 75km total race distance - Smith was active in the early exchanges. And when a strongman's group of 10 got clear, he was present, even though the cooperation up front was not what it should have been.

In that group with Smith were three from Caldwell Cycles - Oisin Ferrity, Darnell Moore and Odhrán Doogan - along with Ciaran Maguire and Mark McGarry, both of Dan Morrissey-Pissei. Lindsay Watson (Powerhouse Sport) was also there, along with Mark Dowling (All human-VeloRevolution), Gareth O'Neill ((Athlete Nutrition Coach HD) and Ronan O'Connor (Team Skyline).

With arguably too many riders in that group, they did not cooperate very well, after going clear not long after the start. And on the third lap three of their number took flight. In that 'breakaway from the breakaway' were Smith, Moore and O'Connor.

They knuckled down and built a very big gap, of well over one minute on the remains of the initial breakaway. And when they went to the line to fight for the victory, it was Smith who prevailed from O'Connor and Moore.

Behind them, Ferrity and Dowling were the only two other riders from the remains of the initial breakaway to hold off the bunch and took 4th and 5th respectively. O'Neill had made a strong effort to get across to the three leaders only to get caught and swallowed up by the bunch.

After the lead trio had finished, and then the chasing duo, Doogan took 6th place from Sean Nolan (Navan Road Club) and Christopher Marshall (Velo Performance Racing Team).