Denis Lynch was denied victory by France’s Simon Delestre in this afternoon’s closing event of the Global Champions Tour meeting in Rome.

Partnering RMF Bella Baloubet, the Irish rider swept to the front early in the 15-way jump-off and saw a succession of top riders fail to match his time of 34.49.

It was only when third-last Simon Delestre brought in Chesall Zimequest that Lynch’s hopes of victory were ended as the French pairing crossed the line in 33.80 for what proved to be the winning time.

Daniel Deusser of Germany, Lynch’s closest challenger up to that point, took third place with Cornet.

Fourth went to British rider John Whitaker and Argento, and last competitor Lillie Keenan did enough with Super Sox to have the US colours in the top five.

Mike Dunne