Irish road and cyclocross international, Dean Harvey (Martigues Sport Cyclisme Payden-Rygel), has taken his third victory of the season, this time winning with an impressive solo victory on Caribbean island of Martinique, a French territory.
Harvey (22), who won Prix de Aubagne in France back in April, and took gold in the National Criterium Chamoionships in Limerick in May, had already shown good form earlier in the 12-stage race, taking six top 10 placings, including 3rd on stage 2b in Fort-de-France.
On Sunday’s final stage – some 134km from Rivière-Pilote to Lamentin – Harvey was part of a 10-man move that caught a lone breakaway rider who had forged clear early in the race. Behind them, the yellow jersey group marked each other, playing into the hands of the breakaway men.
With about 10km to go, Harvey attacked the lead group, which had swelled in number coming into the final, and got clear. He put his head down and produced an impressive solo effort to win. By the time he reached the finish, he had 1:10 in hand over a group of 20 chasers.
The Irishman had plenty of time to sit up and celebrate his victory, a long way from home, after a fine display at the end of 12 stages, over 10 days of racing, with split stages on two days.
Behind Harvey, Martinique’s Raphaël Lautone (Team Madras Capesterre Belle-Eau) and Estonia’s Gert Kivistik (Team Crédit Mutuelle-Garage Premier) were 2nd and 3rd after proving fastest in the sprint from the chasing group.
The race was won overall by Damien Urcel (Team Madras Capesterre Belle-Eau) from Harvey’s Kiwi team mate Noah Hollamby and France’s Stefan Bennett (Jeunesse Cycliste 231).
