Craven wins Nedbank Cycle Tour

NAMIBIAN road race champion Dan Craven won the 2007 Nedbank Cycle Tour with his first try yesterday.

Craven beat Raphael Bertschinger into second place, with Jacques Celliers coming third in the Elite men’s category over 70 km. The 2006 champion Ermin van Wyk ended fourth with development rider Tjipe Murangi in fifth place overall.Craven told Nampa afterwards that it was his first time to compete in the Nedbank Cycle Tour, adding that it felt fantastic to win it.He and seven other riders broke away from the bunch after about 20 km, but soon before the turn-around point at Daan Viljoen Game Reserve, Bertschinger broke away from them.Although the wind was a problem, Craven managed to catch up with him again on the Western Bypass, along with another development rider Petrus Lotto.Craven and Bertschinger left Lotto behind and Craven made the final break with about 3 km to go.Craven said he was pleased with the form of the other cyclists.especially veteran rider Nick du Plessis and former winner Ermin van Wyk.Craven, who won the silver medal in the time trial at the 2006 African Cycling Championships in Mauritius, will depart for Europe tomorrow to continue training and riding for his Switzerland-based Team FidiBC.com.Johanita de Waal won the women’s race over 70 km followed home by Charmaine Shannon and Angelique Rahl in third place.The 30 km race for men was won by Simon Shileka followed by Gordon Pieters in second place and Alwyn Steenkamp in third spot.Susan Horn was the fastest woman over 30 km while Tania Wiese ended second and Lerika Burger third.About 1 200 riders finished the race.NampaThe 2006 champion Ermin van Wyk ended fourth with development rider Tjipe Murangi in fifth place overall.Craven told Nampa afterwards that it was his first time to compete in the Nedbank Cycle Tour, adding that it felt fantastic to win it.He and seven other riders broke away from the bunch after about 20 km, but soon before the turn-around point at Daan Viljoen Game Reserve, Bertschinger broke away from them.Although the wind was a problem, Craven managed to catch up with him again on the Western Bypass, along with another development rider Petrus Lotto.Craven and Bertschinger left Lotto behind and Craven made the final break with about 3 km to go.Craven said he was pleased with the form of the other cyclists.especially veteran rider Nick du Plessis and former winner Ermin van Wyk.Craven, who won the silver medal in the time trial at the 2006 African Cycling Championships in Mauritius, will depart for Europe tomorrow to continue training and riding for his Switzerland-based Team FidiBC.com.Johanita de Waal won the women’s race over 70 km followed home by Charmaine Shannon and Angelique Rahl in third place.The 30 km race for men was won by Simon Shileka followed by Gordon Pieters in second place and Alwyn Steenkamp in third spot.Susan Horn was the fastest woman over 30 km while Tania Wiese ended second and Lerika Burger third.About 1 200 riders finished the race.Nampa