TWO top finishes for cyclist Jonathan Dayus has made him the top ranked amateur in France.

Dayus, now based in Nantes, recorded a superb third place in the Archer International Grand Prix before returning to France 72 hours later to win the Grand Prix U Cotes d'Armor.

A 24-second success in the latter, his second win in France this season, along with many other top 10 finishes, secured him the top amateur rank.

In the Archer International, Dayus, who started his racing career with Worcester St John's, rode for his adopted UK team Arctic-Shorter Rochford RT from London.

Only three of the 116 miles of the Archer has been covered when a small group formed at the head of the race.

By half distance the group, which had been joined by another smaller pack, had a two-and-a-half-minute advantage over the main bunch, including Dayus.

At the 80-mile stage, Dayus and Arctic team-mate James Dobbin set about reducing the deficit. With 100 miles covered the gap was down to 90 seconds.

With four miles remaining Dayus was still very strong and launched a searing attack that only Kevin Dawson (Team Planet-X) could stay with and in just two miles Dayus had bridged across the remaining 55-second gap to the lead group.

Dayus attacked again, taking with him Dawson, Matt Stephens (Sigma Sport) and Gareth Jones (Fuji bikes).

All thoughts of the win gone, with eventual winner John Tanner (Team Planet-X) more than a minute ahead, Dayus set his sights on a podium finish.

Dawson edged Dayus into third spot in the final sprint.

Just 72 hours later, Dayus was back in action in France, riding the highly rated Grand Prix U Cotes d'Armor, with his Nantes Atlantique team.

Held in torrential rain and strong winds, Dayus joined a 40-strong group on the Mur de Bretagne mid-way through the race. From this, a four-man group formed containing Dayus.

With just 12km to go, Dayus made his move and rode solo to the line to win by 24 seconds.

It was his second win in France this season and, along with several other top finishes, now has him as the top ranked amateur cyclist in France.