American world number one Kent Farrington snatched victory out of the grasp of Ireland’s Shane Breen in the €300,000 Grand Prix at Valence, France this afternoon.

Breen had been second to go in the 11-way jump-off and was first to go clear when getting Laith across the line in 36.32 seconds.

There were plenty of good efforts to catch the Irish rider, with Brazil’s Yuri Mansur Guerios coming close on Babylotte before Canada’s Eric Lamaze took over second place on Coco Bongo 0.69 of a second shy of Breen.

With just two riders left, Breen’s grip on the event finally gave way when Farrington swept home with Gazelle with just over a second to spare to claim the top prize of €75,000.

Last to go was Beezie Madden and the American made good time on Brietling LS but four faults saw them finish seventh.

Breen and Michael Duffy were the only two Irish riders at the French meeting but both claimed victories over the weekend.

Duffy, who made today’s jump-off with EFS Top Contender but finished 11th after a retirement, claimed Friday’s speed class with Millfield Ultymate, the pairing having taken second in Thursday’s two-phase Mercedes-Benz Cup.

Breen won yesterday’s Axeria Cup with Ipswich van de Wolfsakker.

Mike Dunne