Riley Smith has clearly benefitted from his first exposure to senior stage racing, proving active in the Rás Mumhan over the Easter weekend where he competed as part of a string Cycling ulster Junior team. He followed that up by winning the overall leading Young Rider at the recent Carn Wheelers 2 day and last night topped it off by taking victory at the Armagh Crit, promoted by Orchard CC.
Riley helped form a 4-man breakaway group midway through the Armagh Crit alongside clubmate Aaron Parks, James Armstrong (JNR Molenspurters Meulebeke Bel) and Michael Phelan (Spellman Dublin Port). Working together well, they managed to keep the chasing bunch at bay until the finale. In the rise to the finish it was Riley who emerged as the fastest, crossing the line first, jubilant in celebration. He was closely followed by Aaron Parks, also a former winner of the event, giving Banbridge CC a remarkable 1-2 ahead of Armstrong and Phelan.
Another rider continuing a strong run of results, Mark Kendall, followed up his victory from the weekend with a fine 6th place. It was yet another fantastic result for the Banbridge CC riders with 3 riders in the top 6 and strong performances also from Dan Purdy, Stephen Fitzsimmons and Gavin Clarke all of whom were competing on the night.
Photos courtesy of Jerome Rafferty and Dany Blondeel (Belgian Project)
