Clarke shows strong cycling form

Simon Clarke's team transfer has paid early dividends, with the Australian cyclist winning in Italy.

The Cannondale rider won the GP Industria and Artigianato one-day race.

Clarke, 29, was a foundation member of the Australian Orica-GreenEDGE team, but left after four years to further his career.

It was Clarke's first European race of the season.

"I knew if I was given the opportunity, if I saw the opportunity, I could deliver," Clarke told the cyclingnews website.

"The team's just had a really good camp in Tenerife and we all worked really hard over there.

"I did everything I thought was right these last couple weeks and I knew I had good condition."

Clarke's most recent win was last May at the Giro d'Italia, where he was part of the Orica-GreenEDGE lineup that took out the team time trial stage.

Clarke also wore the race leader's pink jersey at the Giro for one day.