Kelly scorches to season opener with stunning solo ride

Robin Kelly stormed to victory in the season-opening Ned Flanagan Memorial in Monasterevin, Kildare yesterday.

The Aquablue rider, one of the fastest sprinters in the country, broke clear with around 20km of the 60km event remaining yesterday, and soloed 40k to a fine win with upwards of 30 seconds to spare on the peloton behind.

They were led in by James Davenport (South Dublin CC), while Eddie Barry scored the first result of the season for the newly formed (Liquidworx/Fitscience) squad.

In the A3 event, former Sean Kelly Team rider Ciarán Kelly made a superb comeback to the sport after a number of years away when he took victory.

Kelly, riding under the sponsorship of his own Bikeworx shop in Celbridge, Co Kildare, saw off veteran rider and fellow fast man John Priest (Lucan CRC) for the win, with Dolmen’s Darragh Feely rounding out the podium.

Conor McDunphy of Lucan CRC took the junior prize while Aideen Keenan of Orwell won the women’s race.