Jayco-AIS rider Jay McCarthy has claimed his first European win of the season with victory in the 64th Grand Prix Col San Martino - Trofeo PIVA in Italy.

It continues the strong run in the event for Jayco-AIS. Richard Lang won last year and Michael Matthews was second in 2010.

"Jay finished off a really solid effort by the whole team," said Jayco-AIS Team Director, James Victor.

The circuit was changed from previous years adding a more difficult climb in the initial 18km circuit the field that the field had to navigate eight times before a 27 kilometre final lap that boasted three climbs.

Damien Howson and Calvin Watson covered the early moves and joined a lead group of 13 that stayed away for more than 100 kilometres before the race regrouped.

"Damien kept the mountain points in check and was always near the front over the climbs which saw him secure the mountain classification in a gutsy effort that also kept the lead group motivated to work," said Victor. "Calvin was also on a great individual ride and after the race came back together was still able to play the trump card to get Jay onto the back of the winning move leading into the last climb.

"Jay was always in control covering all the crucial moves on the final circuit before sprinting home at the head of the final lead group of ten."

Watson was 12th, only eight seconds off McCarthy's group, with the main peloton coming home 35 seconds behind the leaders.

"Michael Freiberg, Aaron Donnelly and Nick Aitken supported the team extremely well and were all still there at the business end of the race to ensure Jay was well protected going into the last lap," explained Victor. "It's always great to start the European campaign with such a fantastic team effort."

The U23 Nations Cup kicks off next next week with Tour de Flandres (7 April) ahead of the Tour de Picarde (11 April) and ZLM Tour (14 April). Australia will also start a team in Liege Bastogne Liege Espoir (Under 23) on 14 April.

Cycling Australia