Bermuda cycling sensation Elliott Hubbard has made his biggest overseas impact to date when he finished second at the Grand Prix de Vedenne on Sunday.

Hubbard completed the 133-kilometre road race just behind team-mate Olivier Trastour and ahead of Anthony Juiriato as the Mandelieu squad grabbed the top three spots in the race.

More impressively, Hubbard was the overall points winner as best climber, his strong suit, in the race which took place in Avignon, France, and featured a field of 180 top-flight racers.

"I've definitely earned my place on this team,'' Hubbard said yesterday during a telephone interview from his apartment. "There was nothing more exciting than coming across the finish line with two of your team-mates. It was a complete team success. You develop a strong bond with everyone when things go so well.'' Things have gone well for Hubbard ever since the 20-year-old made the decision to jump to the Mandelieu squad before the season.

Last year Hubbard was a member of the Union Cycliste de Monaco.

With the current season nearing the halfway point, the lanky Bermudian has taken impressive strides this year as one of the youngest members of the Cannes-based team.

No one expected him to do so well so soon.

Recently featured in the local newspaper with a story and picture as one of the jeunes recrues (young recruits) of the Mandolociens, Hubbard is quickly gaining the attention and respect of fans and team-mates.

His gutsy move on Sunday during the final stages of the race sealed his place in the top three while spectators cheered enthusiastically.

"I took the initiative to attack,'' said Hubbard, piecing together key stages of the race. "I really thought that was the way we should go and the race went right into my own hands. I now know that I am capable. I'm going to be more confident and take a few more risks. Sometimes it's all or nothing out there.'' Hubbard followed up his spectacular finish with a glass of champagne and pasta dinner on Sunday night, courtesy of his team president.

To top that off, Hubbard finished a respectable 22nd in the 180-kilometre Turin Grand Prix in Milan on Monday. Once again at least three Mandolociens were in the top 20 with Trastour, the team's heavyweight, finishing ninth.

Hubbard was forced to battle fatigue because of his gruelling run the day before, and also had to deal with heavy rain during the entire course. Weather was also a major factor on Sunday when racers faced severe conditions in the form of a hail storm.

The young racer will now compete in two 150-kilometre races this weekend in Vence and Dragingaun, near his home.

"Depending on the tactics of a particular race, I know that I'm capable of being up front on any given day,'' said Hubbard.

Prior to last weekend, Hubbard's biggest accomplishment was a 19th-place finish in the prestigious St Etienne international race a few weeks ago.

He also finished in the top 20 in three other races this season -- eighth at the Grand Prix de Auriols, seventh at the Grand Prix de Sollies in early March and 11th at the LaLande in late February.

ELLIOTT HUBBARD -- Second at Grand Prix de Vedenne on Sunday.