Video: Check out the sprint to win Gran Fondo Giro Northern Ireland

Olympian Mark Kane again won the Gran Fondo Giro d'Italia Northern Ireland but only after a close two-up sprint from David Hamilton, far right. Sean McIntyre, left, came home in 3rd place.

Having made a brief comeback to racing in recent years, former international and Olympian Mark Kane took victory on Sunday at the Gran Fondo Giro d'Italia Northern Ireland for the second year running.

At the end of the 175km event - which is a competitive sportive - the Dave Kane Cycles man came to the finish line with David Hamilton, who is well known as one of the best road riders in the country.

Kane got the verdict over Hamilton (North Down CC); leading into the last corner in Belfast's Titanic Quarter and holding on all the way to the finish line.

Not far behind was another top road man Sean McIntyre who is an excellent time trial rider and a very strong member of the road racing community.

Katharine Smith was the first woman home and was in 25th position in the combined men’s and women’s event.

Nora Wiley came home in 2nd place and Joanne Lennox rounded out the women’s podium.

Between the 175km Mourne Route and the 58km Strangford Route, over 4,000 riders signed on for the second year of the Gran Fondo; a legacy event following the Giro d’Italia’s start in Ireland two years ago.

There was also a kids' mini ride and a whole festival of events over the weekend built around the Gran Fondo, which is now becoming a real money spinner and tourism draw for the North.

Riders from all over the world came to ride the event with some in the field from Australia, the US, Canada, Italy, Sweden, France, Holland, Germany, Malaysia, Spain, England, Scotland, Wales and of course the Republic of Ireland.

The Gran Fondo Giro d’Italia, partially funded by Tourism NI, is organised by Shadetree Sports, in association with RCS Sport.

Bringing some star quality to the event were former Giro winners Stephen Roche and Gianni Bugno.