Sam Coleman, the Irish junior rider from Co Armagh, has wasted no time in getting off the mark in the 2024 season, taking a very clear victory in his first outing in France.
The 18-year-old, riding for the French junior team AS Villemur U19 this year, was on the attack for most of the 96.5km Mapei Classic before pressing on to take a really impressive solo win.
Coleman was in action in the event, in Villemur-sur-Tarn in the Haute-Garonne department in southwestern France, alongside compatriots David Gaffney (Team 31 Jolly Cycles U19) and Conor Murphy (Academy Région Sud pb Giant) in a 91-rider field.
Coleman, who featured on the Irish national team last year, showed great confidence in dropping the breakaway companions he was with and pressing on solo to win by nearly three minutes on his own.
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He was 2:50 up on Samuel Serres (Team 31 Jolly Cycles U19), with fellow French rider Vincent Lebon (GSC Blagnac Velo Sport 31 U19) 3rd at 2:52.
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Gaffney also put in a very strong ride in yesterday's race, placing 14th, at 5:57, with Murphy finishing in 19th at 6:07.
Coleman and Gaffney were also in action again today at the 84km Ronde Bessieraine and once again there were big gaps between the leading riders and the next men to finish.
The race was won by Remi Daumas (Team 31 Jolly Cycles U19) by 26 seconds from Ellande Larronde (Urt Vélo 64), with Maxence Carrere (AS Villemur U19) 3rd at 1:51.
A 16-rider chasing group finished 3:28 down, with Coleman 2nd in the sprint from that, for 5th place in the race, while Gaffney finished in 18th place.
