Teenager Prendergast puts exams aside for storming win and yellow jersey in crit series

Leaving Cert student Jason Prendergast on his way to victory in Claremorris last night and the first yellow jersey in the new summer criterium series (Photo: Mark Quigley)

First year U23 rider Jason Prendergast holds the yellow jersey after the opening round of the Connacht Criterium Series in Claremorris last night.

The Fitscience-Liquidworx rider was a clear winner last night, soloing away from his breakaway partner Karl Benson of Castlebar CC after they clipped off the front of the main group midway through the 45-minute plus three-lap event.

Prendergast, who has already won the time-trial at Rás Maigh Eo and the Markeivicz Cup this year, said he was thrilled to have added his third victory of the season, particularly as it came in the middle of his Leaving cert exams.

"Any time you win is great but particularly up here with the Liquidworx-Fitscience jersey on me," he said in reference to the fact his team’s backers are based in Mayo.

"I wasn't too sure how I'd be because my last race before the John Holian Memorial last Friday was the Tour of Ulster so I had a good break of three weeks with the exams."

Last night's affair was handicapped and the Louisburgh man, who rode in the national colours at the Kerry Group Rás Mumhan, was with the scratch group 30 seconds behind the main field.

"I started at the back, but attacked and went over to that front group on my own,” he said.

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However, that aggression came to nothing as all of the scratch men eventually back on terms. Prendergast was not discouraged from going again despite the presence of some very strong local men hunting for a win including his team mate Paddy Clarke, David Brennan (Castlebar CC) and Chris Troy (Castlebar CC).

“I went again and the second time it was more of a flat out effort and I got away with Benson and had about 40 seconds on the group by the finish,” said the eventual winner.

"Karl sat on me, he took second. I had about 20 seconds on him, he told me he had nothing in his legs and he just sat on so I had to get rid of him to make sure he wouldn't jump me on the line.

"It was a good hard crit, there was a good field there so it was nice to win and show my legs are still good after the break because I want a very good second half of the season.

“Hopefully we can keep yellow in Galway tomorrow night,” he said in reference to the second round tonight, Saturday, of the next round of the Connacht-based new crit series.

“There's a lot of guys there in the top 10 who can take it but between myself and Paddy we should have a good chance of getting it."