Paddy Clarke puts nightmare Rás behind him with victory in Claremorris Criterium

Paddy Clarke, seen here earlier in the season, took a great solo win in the Claremorris Criterium tonight, Friday (www.blackumbrellaphotography.com)

By Brian Canty

Paddy Clarke has put his nightmare An Post Rás behind him by taking victory in tonight's Claremorris Criterium in horrible weather conditions.

The Castlebar CC rider blitzed the field over the tight 1.5 kilometre course which featured six bends and was made more treacherous by the heavy rain that fell throughout.

Clarke crossed the line first, and was followed 55 seconds later by local rider Sean O'Malley with David Brennan, also of Castlebar CC, in third.

The race was a 45-minute and three-lap event, but was made more difficult for the scratch group as it was handicapped, with the A3 and A4 groups getting a minute on the A1s and A2s.

But Clarke wasted no time in cutting the margin; attacking after 10 minutes and going solo across to those up ahead. Not content to stay put when he caught them and wait for a regrouping, he jumped away again and no one could go with him - though several did try.

Riding on his own out front, Clarke, who is based back home this year after three years in Belgium, pulled out a gap lap by lap as he swept through the bends and come the finish he had almost a minute on the group behind, with O'Malley taking the gallop from Brennan.

Meanwhile, tomorrow's Galway Bay CC criterium, scheduled to start at 3pm has been cancelled following the local council's decision to put roundabouts and speed ramps on the planned circuit.

This wasn't in any way an objection to the race, it must be noted, but when another suitable course wasn't found in time, organisers took the decision to cancel the race.

Claremorris Criterium

1st Patrick Clarke (Castlebar)