CYCLING:IRISH RIDER Sam Bennett showed he is settling in very well with the Marseille-based VC La Pomme team when he took his first French victory on Saturday, writes SHANE STOKES.

Over 100 riders lined out in the Alleins GP, and while he missed the day’s big break, he bridged across to the 20-man move inside the final 10 kilometres. He then sprinted to a clear victory.

Bennett, at just 18 years of age, has already marked himself out as a big talent. Last year he won the European junior points race championship and the Junior Tour of Ireland, while in May he won a stage of the FBD Insurance Rás. The Carrick-on-Suir rider is on a trial with the team.

David McCann had the overall lead heading into yesterday evening’s criterium stage of the Suir Valley three-day. The Ride Sport Racing competitor finished four seconds ahead of Paul Griffin (Tralee Earl of Desmond) on Saturday’s stage, and finished just behind Adam Armstrong (Eurocycles) on yesterday’s second leg. The duo broke clear towards the end of the stage. McCann held a 44 second lead over Stephen O’Sullivan (Engraveit.ie). The race finishes today.