Beats virus: a lot suffering (9)

I believe the answer is:

outrivals

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'beats' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to competing as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'virus a lot suffering' is the wordplay.
'suffering' indicates an anagram.
'virus'+'a'+'lot'='virusalot'
'virusalot' anagrammed gives 'OUTRIVALS'.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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