Commonwealth Games bound cyclist Tyler Butterfield secured the best finish of his fledgling amateur career in France on Thursday, coming in second on the fourth stage of the Circuit de Plages Vendeennes.

Racing for the Vendee U team in one of the world?s top-ranking amateur events, the 23-year-old was yesterday sitting sixth in the overall race rankings with 36 points, 20 off the lead.

Butterfield has been gearing up for next month?s Melbourne Games since he returned to Europe at the beginning of January.

The fact, however, that they are being held in cycling?s off season has made his preparations particularly difficult.

The weather in southern France at present is very cold and windy, making racing a particularly hazardous business.

The former triathlete has six more races in France before he heads to South Africa for another competition ? where the weather should more accurately reflect the conditions at the Games, which begin on March 17.