coach that she received a personal invitation to compete in the world's biggest race next year, the women's version of the famous Tour de France.

Competing in the Canadian Female International Grand Prix -- her first major stage race and her first event against top international riders -- Claude completed the gruelling five-day, six-stage race in Bromont, Quebec, and despite being without team support finished 14th overall.

On general classification, Claude placed ahead of Canadian national champion and 1996 Olympian Clara Hughes as well as the entire US national team, the Canadian national `B' team, the CC Vesar-Sugio team, the Canadian `Peccos' team and the French Groupe Corlet team.

On stage one, she placed 27th in the 101.8 kilometre race, part of a 20-rider sprint two minutes behind the lead breakaway group. She was given the same time as top Canadian rider Linda Jackson and Pan-Am Games bronze medallist Lynne Bessette.

Stage two was a demanding 94 kilometre race with two major climbs, but again Claude came through with flying colours, finishing 16th and moving up to 23rd on general classification.

The third stage of 91.4 kilometres saw Claude display true grit as the top teams controlled the race for their leaders. Not willing to let breakaway groups get away, Claude took it upon herself to bridge the gaps and at the 71 kilometre mark attacked a two kilometre hill and stayed with the lead pack of 15 riders.

She held on for eighth place, some three minutes behind stage winner Bessette.

Claude also excelled on stage four when she formed part of a small breakaway which included race leaders Bessette, Jackson and Frenchwoman Annie Gariepa of the French elita squad.

With a 30 second lead over the field it became a tactical race when Bessette and Gariepa, realising they could not get away from each other, closed down the attack which left the Bermudian to do all the work. Eventually caught with one kilometre to go, Claude still managed to stay in for the sprint finish.

On the final day of competition on Sunday, Claude faced a 15 kilometre time trial in the morning and 40K criterium in the afternoon. Her time of 22 minutes, 41 seconds was good enough for 18th place at an average of 39.88 kph, by far her best performance for a time trial.

The afternoon's final stage was destined to be a fast and furious event as American Bessette trailed overall leader Gariepie by only 31 seconds after five days of racing. Despite numerous attempts by Bessette to break Gariepie's hold, she was unable to shake her from her wheel and Gariepie went on to take overall honours.

After a number of efforts to break away herself, Claude finished with the main pack in 21st place, 12 seconds behind stage winner, Olympian Clara Hughes, and secure an overall position of 14th.

National coach Greg Hopkins said of her performance: "Melanie took a very bold step going to this event because it was such a huge step up in quality of racing for her against many top international riders. Her performance is impossible to put into a few words.

"After five days of hard racing against some very strong teams Bermuda should be in no doubt that this was a tremendous achievement.

"The hard work and dedication is paying off. She deserves a lot of credit.

Performances like this help put Bermuda on the cycling map.''