Dean Harvey is racing in France this year with elite team Martigues SC-Payden&Rygel, after former team Trinity Racing ended its road programme, and the Irish cyclocross champion has been finding his feet in his new surroundings.
The 21-year-old, who has represented Ireland and junior and U23 level, was just beaten for his first win of the season, with the in-form French rider, Dimitri Barrallon (UC Pélussin), beating him by the width of a tyre at the end of a hard fought contest.
They were in action in the 136km Tour de l'Ardeche Meridional in south eastern France, held over lumpy terrain. However, while the field split, a breakaway was brought back in time for the finish, teeing it up for a bunch sprint.
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Barrallon (22) just about the got the verdict on the line in a photo finish, after Harvey just came up short in overhauling his French rival in the lunge to the line.
The winner and runner-up put some distance between the others sprinting at the front of the field, with 19-year-old Frenchman, Damien Roux (OCF Team Legend Wheels) taking 3rd place.
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