British rider comes out on top in his first race of the season
Kristian House of the Rapha Condor Sharp team began his time under the African sun on a high note, by riding himself to a solo victory in the first stage of the new Cell C Tour of South Africa. With is victory, the 2009 British Road Race Champion also secured the first gold jersey of race leader. Herman Fouche (DCM), who is returning from a two year suspension for doping, won the bunch sprint for second place, while former Lampre rider Milan Kadlec (Czech Republic) rounded out the podium in third.
After a nervous start to the race, the peloton worked hard to neutralized attacks, and it took more than halfway through the first stage for Martin Blaha (Czech Republic) and House to get some daylight over the field. Lack of co-operation from the main group allowed the duo to build a gap that reached a maximum of 7 minutes and 35 seconds. With 50 kilometers left to race, Blaha was no longer able to hold onto House, who powered away from his companion on a slight incline.
“I waited for him 3 or 4 times,” House said after the finish, “but I knew the last 40 kilometers were quite hilly, so decided to just ride, not that I was even thinking of the win.”
The Briton held his lead to take the 154 kilometer stage alone in Montecasino. The big losers of the day were the French Europcar team, who lost Anthony Charteau after he broke his collarbone. The 2010 Tour de France King of the mountains winner was the race favorite after winning the La Tropicale Amissa Bongo three weeks ago.
Stage 2 will take the riders 163 kilometers with a trip through streets of Johannesburg, including Soweto and back to Montecasino. House surprised himself with taking a victory in his first race of the season, but knows the overall victory will be hard to take home for his Rapha Condor Sharp team. “We’ll see what happens and take it one day at a time but there’s some big climbs coming up so we’ll see,” he concluded.
Stage 1 of the Cell C Tour of South Africa Results
From Menlyn Park Shopping Centre to Montecasio (154 KM)
1 Kristian House (Rapha Condor Sharp)
2 Herman Fouche (DCM) 2’22”
3 Milan Kadlec(Czech Republic)
4 Tyler Day (Team Bonitas)
5 Martin Verschoor (Team Type 1)
6 Alex Meenhorst (Team Differdange-Magic-Sportfood)
7 Daryl Impey(MTN-Qhubeka)
Report courtesy of Xylon van Eyck