Luke Smith adds to growing win tally with latest victory in Co Kildare | Sticky Bottle

*Luke Smith went through the groups to win solo in Mondello Park last night (Photo: Sean Rowe)*

Luke Smith (Moynalty CC) has added to his growing list of wins this season after taking victory in the latest round of the Mondello Series in Mondello Park, Co Kildare, last night.

Smith win solo after getting away from the A1 scratch group in a small breakaway and mopping up all the groups up ahead in the handicapped race.

After an aggressive start, and as the scratch group was close to catching the A3s, eventual winner Smith broke clear in a small group that also included Ronan Killeen (Lucan CRC) and Javan Nulty (Stamullen RC).

That group went on to catch the A4s with one of those - Robert Ryan of Castleknock Cycling Club - staying with the breakaway. As the leaders continued to power forward they then picked up a two-man group ahead after those riders had made a brave bid for glory.

In that two-man group was junior Quillan Donnelly, now competing for Isorex and back in action after breaking a bone in his wrist in the Junior Tour, along with Ruairi Byrne, another top junior competing with Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club.

Once Donnelly and Byrne had been caught the six leaders had nobody else up ahead to collect, though the bunch was now only 30 seconds back with five laps to go.

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Smith then attacked from the lead group, with Killeen going with him. And while they pulled clear of the breakaway, it came back at them, with Smith attacking again and getting clear.

That solo move won him the race as he powered to the finish for victory. Behind him, it was Castleknock's Ryan who was best in the sprint for 2nd place. Byrne placed 3rd with Nulty 4th, Killeen 5th and Donnelly 6th.

Smith adds his win last night to his recent victories in the Robinstown GP, the Mountnugent GP. He also won the St Patrick's Day Starsky race back in March as well as two rounds of the Mondello Series.