YORK CYCLEWORKS rider Alastair Kay enjoyed success in the Giro delle Vallis Cuneesi race in Italy.

The six day race took place in the Maritime Alps between Turin and Monaco. Kay rode consistently well, and despite crashing in the final kilometre of the second stage went on to finish eighth overall from 130 riders.

His highlight was the fifth stage where he was pipped into second by home rider Paulo Toni.

The race climaxed with a final ski station finish at Artesina, after a tough nine-mile climb. Kay stayed with the leaders as the race behind shattered on the steep slopes.

The attacks came thick and fast as the seven front runners battled their up the climb, with Kay eventually having to concede time to defending champion Roberto Moretti who repeated his 2000 success with the help of team-mate, Andrea Gurayev, who took the stage.

Kay's eighth position overall earned him the jersey for Prima Stranieri - the first foreign rider.

Kay, who gained top 20 placings in the Hardest Domestic Inter-nations, The Manx International and the Tour of the Cotswolds, will race in Italy again next month when he tackles two one-day races in Veneto, north of Venice.

York Cycleworks hold their Road Race on the Sheriff Hutton - Bulmer - Terrington Curcuit on Monday.

Many of Britain's top riders, including Premier Calendar Champion Mark Lovatt, will battle for victory around the tough course in a 70 mile race.

Updated: 10:38 Saturday, August 25, 2001