Philip Lavery’s dominant form continues at hilly Hammond Memorial

Philip Lavery (NODE4-Giordana) has extended his winning run at the ‘Noel & Kieran Hammond Memorial’ in Co Wicklow, just 24 hours after his victory in the Ultimate Clothing GP in Corkagh Park, west Dublin.

While Lavery has enjoyed a string of wins – five on Irish roads and one in the UK – so far this season, his ride today was by far the best of those Irish victories. He dominated a much better field on a much harder course than during any of his wins at home in recent weeks.

At the end of the five-lap 96km event featuring the long climb of Callow Hill each lap, Lavery had more than a minute to spare over second placed Connor McConvey (An Post-Sean Kelly).

A five-man escape got clear with two laps complete. It included: Lavery, McConvey, Greg Swinand (Usher IRC), Mark Dowling (Dunboyne DID) and Martain Mizgajski (Iverk Carrick).

Lavery attacked the others with just over one lap to go and, riding strongly, he pulled out what immediately looked like a race winning gap.

Taking the bell for the last lap he powered on and up Callow Hill. Behind him the chasers split, with McConvey attacking Swinand last time up the climb and setting off in pursuit of the lone leader.

However, it was too little too late from the big man from Belfast, with Lavery having plenty in hand at the finish to savour a great win on what was a cold and blowy day for racing. McConvey came in alone for second, followed by Swinand on his own for third.