Rampant Lavery does it again; takes emotional victory at Shay Elliott

Philip Lavery (NODE4 Giordana) has taken his latest win of the 2012 season, storming home in fine style this afternoon to take what is arguably domestic cycling’s most prestigious one-day race, the Shay Elliott Memorial.

The 21-year-old Dubliner may have had just seconds to spare over chasing duo Ryan Sherlock (Cycleways) and Kieran Friend (NODE4 Giordana), but he won the race from the front with some trademark aggressive riding.

Lavery was part of a four-man group that went clear after an intense period of attacking from the peloton in the first 10-15km. As well as the eventual winner in that group, there was also Adam Armstrong (Eurocycles), Damien Shaw (Lakeside) and junior rider Ryan Mullen (Planet X).

That quartet pressed on well on a very breezy day, though the bunch behind began to split with a number of chasing groups apparently not intent on throwing in the towel.

At around the halfway stage Armstrong abandoned the race from the leading breakaway, leaving just three up front.

Lavery was determined to impose himself on the race and on the climb up Glenmalure he pressed on alone, with still around 30kms remaining to the finish.

Behind him Ryan Sherlock and Lavery’s team mate Friend pulled clear of a chasing group as the early breakaway duo of Mullen and Shaw were absorbed by those behind.

Sherlock had the misfortune of pulling clear with a NODE4 Giordana rider, who understandably did not contribute to the chase after the lone leader Lavery.

While Sherlock gave it everything and Lavery was clearly beginning to pay for his race-long efforts, the gap did not close and Lavery had a few seconds to spare on the line.