Top female rider Melanie Claude's dedication to cycling paid off over the weekend with a stunning overall victory in the Coupe Des Ameriques stage race in Quebec.

Claude, who has spurned triathlon and road running in favour of two wheels this season, finished third in the event for over 30s two years ago.

But this time out she even overcame the potential disaster of an early crash in the first of the four stages, to take first place honours.

Breaking away from the lead group on the 13.5 kilometre hill climb on Friday, her foot became entangled in a pedal and she went over, watching in agony from the ground as the pack passed her.

However, showing phenomenal fighting spirit, she righted herself, got back on and caught up with the pack, riding right through them to finish with a clear lead of eight seconds.

She then came in second behind the Canadian national champion in Saturday morning's 9.5K time trial -- putting her 10 seconds adrift overall -- but hit back in the criterium in the afternoon, making her break on the tight and technical loop with five laps to go. That effort put her 30 seconds ahead overall and in possession of the leader's yellow jersey going into yesterday's 74K road race.

Greg Hopkins, Bermuda's national cycling coach, said: "That put her under tremendous pressure to retain the jersey but she rode a great race and broke away unchallenged with 10K to go.'' He added: "It's a tremendous result for her and a real confidence booster.

She's focused solely on cycling this year -- she's been doing no running or triathlon.

"She's planning to do the Killington Stage Race -- one of the USA's major stage races -- in September and we're sending her to the World B Championships in Uruguay in November.

"All this international competition will be doing her no end of good.

Hopkins continued: "I spoke to her husband, Paul, on the phone and he said they were both absolutely elated.''