Murray puts Rás demons to bed with victory in Mayo

Just weeks after being forced out of the Rás on the penultimate stage, Anthony Murray wins in Cross, Co Mayo (Photo: www.jimmymcelroy.com – follow Jimmy on Facebook and Twitter.)

Having returned to Ireland from Australia with his Subaru Albion team for the past couple of seasons to focus on the Rás, Anthony Murray took a tidy victory in Co Mayo last night.

Murray was fastest in the sprint at the finish of the John Holian Memorial in Cross; besting Mark Quigley of host club Western Lakes CC to the line.

Criterium specialist and up and coming U23 road rider Jason Prendergast rounded out the podium for his Mayo-based team Fitscience.

The race was over five laps of a seven-mile circuit, and was run on a handicapped basis.

However, the limit men swept up all of those before them.

And while there was still a large group in contention hurtling into the finish, it was Murray who came out best of what was an aggressive affair.

It was a welcome win for Murray, who is originally from Co Mayo, as he was forced out of the An Post Rás on the penultimate stage due to a crash.

Originally from Westport, the 27-year-old former adventure racer left Ireland for Sydney in June 2012 and began coming back for the Rás the following year.