WORCESTER'S Jonathan Dayus has clinched his first win since joining cycling's professional ranks this year.

He won the tough third stage of the Ringerike five-day race in Norway and finished fifth overall when the race finished.

After watching and waiting for the first two days, Dayus, who also won stage three in last year's event, put his winning plan into action with great effect.

Riding at the head of affairs all day, his team made sure he was well positioned as the tough finishing climb of the Ringkollen approached. Climbing strongly, Dayus had just enough energy left to defeat France's Eric Leblacher in a sprint and in doing so took the overall lead.

Day four saw horrendous weather take its toll on the field with many riders abandoning and Dayus and Leblacher suffereing the penetrating effects of the snow flurries and icy rain. Sweden's Jonas Holmkvist took a flyer in the. Holmkvist's lead at the finish was enough to see him snatch the leaders jersey from Dayus, wit Dayus and Leblacher relegated to fourth and third respectively.

The final day also saw bad weather and six ascents of a steep climb on the finishing circuit. Aussie Luke Roberts won the stage and moved into third overall. Holmkvist survived as the overall leader with Leblacher and Dayus dropping to fourth and fifth overall.

Dayus now lives in western France after starting his racing career with Worcester St. Johns Cycling Club.