SOUTH Devon cycle racing star Jon Tiernan-Locke stormed to his second professional win in successive weekends with a triumph in the hills of the South of France yesterday.

Locke, a member of the Mid Devon Cycle Club, races for the British professional team Endura Racing.

He was already one of the hottest names in the sport after winning his first race with his new team last week, beating icy weather to take the Tour Mediterranean.

Against even stronger opposition in the Haut Var, he finished third on Saturday's opening stage, then won the final stage yesterday, powering to victory on the final climb.

The Breton rider Romain Hardy, who had led after the opening day, was unable to hang on to his narrow lead over yesterday's hills.

Locke took everyone by surprise in the closing stages of yesterday's course. TV film shows the leading quartet coming under the one-kilometre 'kite' at the foot of the final hill, with the British rider nowhere in sight.

But his climbing prowess saw his close down and then pass the leaders in the final 500 metres, pulling away to cross the line well clear.

The French TV commentators were stunned. One said: "The Englishman is going like a bomb!"

Action from the final stage

Tour du Haut Var-matin dimanche 19.02 by france3cotedazur

Action from Stage One

44ème Tour du Haut Var-matin étape 1 samedi 18... by france3cotedazur