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#DeanHarvey #VueltaExtremadura #CyclingRace #PodiumFinish #IrishCyclist #StageRace #ProCycling #BreakawayHero #CyclingPerformance #AdrianBenito #CyclingSpain #CyclingSeason #CyclocrossChamp #IrishRiders #Popolarissima
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Dean Harvey, the 22-year-old Irish cyclist from Martigues Sport Cyclisme Payden-Rygel, delivered an impressive performance at the Vuelta a Extremadura stage race in Spain, securing his best result of the 2025 season. His standout effort came during the final stage, where he attacked in the closing kilometers to claim 2nd place. The stage, a 153km route from Finca El Toril to Los Santos de Maimona, featured a challenging, lumpy course and saw Harvey in a breakaway for much of the day. When his breakaway group was caught by the peloton, Harvey had the strength to launch another solo attack, holding off the chasing pack to finish just 17 seconds behind stage winner Adrian Benito of Extremadura-Pebetero. The peloton, led by yellow jersey Ferre Geeraerts (DL Chemicals – Experza), sprinted for third place just one second behind Harvey, with Britain’s Charlie Meredith (Grupo Eulen-NUUK) taking the final podium spot.
Harvey’s performance highlights his strong form, particularly his ability to attack late in the race after a hard day in the breakaway. This result marked a significant improvement on his earlier performances in the race, where he finished 12th on the opening stage and 38th on the second stage, ultimately placing 24th overall at 2:16 behind the winner. The Vuelta a Extremadura, which featured 100 starters, was a competitive race, and Harvey’s aggressive riding and podium finish suggest he is in excellent condition as the season progresses.
In Italy, another Irish rider, Adam Kelly of Mg.K Vis Costruzioni e Ambiente, put in a notable performance at the UCI 1.2-ranked one-day race Popolarissima. Kelly, a former U23 international, was part of a breakaway that stayed clear for 140km of the 175km race. Despite the break being caught, Kelly’s efforts were significant in such a demanding race. The event was ultimately won by Ivan Smirnov of XDS Astana Development Team, while former Irish U23 road race champion Jamie Meehan (AVC Aix Provence Dole) finished in the main bunch in 35th place. Seth Dunwoody, making his U23 debut with Bahrain Victorious Devo, faced challenges during the race, including crashes, which prevented him from contesting the sprint. He finished in 71st place at 14 seconds, while Kelly, after his long breakaway, came in 125th at 1:26.
Harvey’s result in Spain is particularly noteworthy as it demonstrates his versatility as a rider, having previously won the National Cyclocross Championships for the past three years. His ability to perform strongly in a road race against a competitive field is a positive sign for his development and future prospects. Similarly, Kelly’s aggressive ride in Italy highlights his resilience and endurance, qualities that could prove valuable as he continues to compete in high-level races.
These performances by Irish riders in international races underscore the growing depth and talent within Irish cycling. Harvey’s podium finish in Spain and Kelly’s breakaway efforts in Italy are encouraging signs for the future, as both riders continue to make their mark on the international stage. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how these riders build on these results and whether they can continue to deliver standout performances in competitive fields.
Overall, Harvey’s 2nd place at the Vuelta a Extremadura and Kelly’s breakaway at Popolarissima are significant achievements that highlight the potential of Irish cycling on the international stage. Both riders have shown they can compete with strong fields, and their performances will likely inspire other Irish cyclists to aim for similar success. As they continue to develop and gain experience in high-level races, Harvey and Kelly could become key figures in Irish cycling, contributing to the sport’s growth and success in the years to come.
