MTN-Qhubeka dominating African race with seven stage victories
Reinhardt Janse van Rensburg has started his season off where he left it last year with great results. The South African won a stage in the Herald Sun Tour towards the end of last season then followed it up by second place overall in the Tour of Hanain. With four stage wins to his name so far, he currently leads the Tour du Maroc going into the final stage tomorrow.
“The goal was always to go for GC with stage wins being a bonus,” he told VeloNation today. “But the team did such an excellent job of setting up a platform where Arran Brown and I can just go for it. In the final sprint both of us will always have a good chance of winning.”
In a display of total dominance by MTN-Qhubeka, Brown has won three stages to go with Janse van Rensburg’s four.
“Two years ago I came second five times in stages at this tour,” Janse van Rensburg continued. “I think a bit of an increase in strength and maturity has allowed me to convert these opportunities.
“Tomorrow is the last day. The wind will play a big role and the team will be focused at protecting me and keeping me out the wind. The Moroccans will definitely try one last time to put it in gutter. On the final circuit I just need to stay out of trouble and watch the two riders closest to me on GC.”
Winning Tour du Maroc will be another notch on the 23 year old’s ever-growing list of palmares. Three weeks ago he won the national time trial championship then days later earned the silver medal in the road race behind Robbie Hunter (Garmin-Barracuda).
“Nationals was the first goal of the season for me. I wanted to win both the events. I really had a great ride in the time trial and managed to beat Jay Thomson (UnitedHealthcare) by a mere 13 seconds. It is a very special victory to me.
“In the road race, Robbie Hunter beat me to the line but I made a mistake and it still bothers me. Second doesn’t mean much at nationals, but first does. I guess it’s part of the learning and becoming a professional.”
After Morocco, the South African team heads to Europe to start its 2012 campaign in earnest. It will look to impress and earn UCI points in the hope of registering as a Pro Continental team for 2013.
“We want to continue our good season in Europe by getting a few victories. I think if the team can stick together there, we will surprise a lot of the professionals, like we did in Australia and Hainan,” he said.