Waterford Racing Club’s sprinter Robin Kelly today claimed the first win of the domestic season, taking the Ned Flanagan Memorial in Co Kildare in convincing style.
Kelly and Ryan Sherlock (Cycleways CC) were both clear for more than half of today’s 70km loop around Co Kildare, starting and finishing in Monasterevin.
The 33-year-old covered a number of attacks from Sherlock in the closing 5kms, knowing he should beat his fellow escapee if the finish came down to a two-up sprint.
And with the run-in almost pan flat, Kelly was never really in any trouble in reacting to Sherlock’s repeated attacks.
The duo arrived at the finish together with a delighted Kelly taking victory.
“You’re always delighted to win of course, but when it’s the first one of the season it’s that bit nicer,” he told stickybottle.
“I was second in the first race of the year last year in the Lacey cup and then I was second again and third in the next two weeks. I thought I was never going to win a race. So it’s great to have won today.”
Advertisement
He said he believed the route of the An Post Ras was too hilly for him this year and he has decided not to ride it.
“I just want to keep the form going now and win as many races as I can.”
Both he and Sherlock have just returned to Ireland from training camps in Gran Canaria and Calpe respectively and that warm weather preparation was very much in evidence today.
The A1s and A2s were let off last in the handicapped event, and that group split as the strongest riders emerged to overhaul the A3s and A4s with only around 20kms covered.
Related News
Once the groups had emerged the attacking started again, with around eight riders - including Kelly and Sherlock - pulling clear.
However, as the race approached the halfway point, the break overshot a turn and by the time they turned around and got back on course the bunch behind had almost caught them.
Sherlock was the quickest to get back on course and Kelly jumped up to him as the rest of the escapees were hunted down by the peloton.
From that point, Kelly and Sherlock combined well to build a lead that went out to around 1:30. While that came down a little as they played cat and mouse approaching the finish, they still had plenty in hand as they battled it out for the win in Monasterevin.
The race started in Monasterevin before taking the road to Portlaoise, Stradbally, Athy, Kildangan and into Kildare before heading the last stretch into the finish. It was promoted by Newbridge CC.
Ned Flanagan Memorial Result
1 R. Kelly (Waterford CC) 1hr 45min 38secs
2 R.Sherlock (Cycleways CC) same
3 M. Henning (South Dublin CC) 53 secs
4 D. Zaidan (V.C Morteau) same
5 C. Cassidy (UCD CC) same
6 D. Whiting (Orwell Wheelers) 1:11
Photos later.
Topics
