Hunter takes first day at Giro del Capo

Robert Hunter Tour de France stage 11

Robbie Hunter won the first race of South Africa?s PPA Cape Argus Giro del Capo Challenge today, a 106km haul to and from Wellington.

The South African sprinter headed home a group of 12 riders who had reformed on the windy run-in to Wellington after a hectic finale up the climb of Bains Kloof Pass with 16km to go.

Also in the group were team Rapha pairing and top British finishers Kristian House and Simon Richardson, placing eighth and ninth.

Hunter?s Barloworld team mate Stephen Cummings took second in the bunch sprint, 13 seconds behind the breakaway.

Fellow Brit Chris Newton (Rapha-Condor) was 31st, at 2-21. With a five per cent cut-off due to its single-day race status, this meant that none of the riders placed below 69th were classified out of the 163 finishers.

Tomorrow?s race two is a 143km three-lap race based around Durbanville.

The three days of racing precede the Cape Argus Pick 'n' Pay Cycle Tour sportive on Sunday, March 8. We will be bringing you further reports from the challenge races and the mass participation ride.

Cape Argus Giro Del Capo day one: Results
1. Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld

2. Christoff Van Heerden (RSA) MTN

3. Johann Rabie (RSA) Neotel

4. Felix Cardenas (Col) Barloworld

5. Henning Bommel (Ger) Germany

6. Stefan Ganser (Ger) Kuota-Indeland

7. Roger Kluge (Ger) Germany

8. Kristian House (GB) Rapha-Condor

9. Simon Richardson (GB) Rapha-Condor

10. Jay Thomson (RSA) MTN all at same time.

Other British

14. Stephen Cummings (GB) Barloworld at 13 secs

31. Chris Newton (GB) Rapha-Condor at 2-21

EXTERNAL LINK

Giro del Capo: www.girodelcapo.co.za

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.