Javan Nulty takes victory at Rás Naomh Finian from three man breakaway in Clonard

Javan Nulty had a breakthrough year last season with a number of strong wins and has opened his 2014 account today in Clondard (Photo: www.blackumbrella.ie)

Javan Nulty took his first victory of the season today to claim the Ras Naomh Finian in Clonard.

Riding for DID Dunboyne, he narrowly outsprinted breakaway colleagues Robin Kelly of Aqua Blue and UCD’s Anthony Walsh at the end of the 70km race.

Having finished second in the opening two races of the season, Walsh made a late bid for glory with an attack in the final kilometre. But Nulty simply bided his time and allowed Kelly to open up the sprint before nipping past him on the line to snatch victory from the recent Ned Flanagan Memorial winner.

Walsh’s UCD teammate Sean McKenna led home the chasers for fourth ahead of last year’s Tour of Ulster winner Joe Fenlon (Aqua Blue) and Elijus Civilis of Top Team.

Ciaran Kelly of Bikeworx took his second win of the season in the A3 race, while Gareth Dargle of Stamullen M. Donnelly soloed to victory in the A4 race and Ann Dalton of D.I.D took the women's race.