Welcome to Port Elizabeth in South Africa. Some of the best African cyclists followed our invitation to take part in the Herald Cycle Series. Next to 11 African teams 3 international teams from Latvia, Slovakia and Iran are joining the fun.
Todays first race gives the sprinters a chance to fight for the win. But as seen in other criteriums it`s sometimes worth to try a late attack,
Favourites are the two South Africans Tyler Day and Christoff Van Heerden next to Egypt Cherif Abdallah.
The race starts with an immediate attack by a rider from Rwanda. He is followed by two more riders. Hadi Reguigui Petrus (Mix1)
But more riders attack, which leads to a new breakaway with a few seconds ahead.
Surprisingly Kenya Airways is seen at the front. In general one of the weaker teams here and in especially for the sprint stages. They obviously try to allow the group a decent gap instead of constant attacks.
40km to go and a group of 5 has a 26s advance. Hasnaoui Teklit (Jaguar) Hadi Grmay (Mix2) Reguigui
But yet again more teams want to be in todays breakaway and this only is highering the pace behind. Abelouache, Konte (Mix2), Saramotins and Habiyambere on the attack.
These attacks brought the former breakaway back and it`s Hasnaoui leading solo now with a tiny gap.
The sprinter teams really don`t want to allow a big gap today.
27km left and another breakaway attempt. Habiyambere Cisse (Mix2) Abelouache Ben Matoog
Africa Mixed 1 for Abdallah and MTN for South African sprinter Day are doing the pace now bringing everything together again with 24km to go. Ben Matoog is still trying another time but he realizes soon that this will be a day for the sprinters.
Both sprinter teams with 4 rider trains each. Perfect scenario for Day and Abdallah so far. Ansons, Van Heerden, Ben Youcef and Akkouche are just behind them in a decent position as well.
12,5km left and 2 riders still think they can beat the sprinters with an attack. Gavenda and Jelloul with a last try.
Last lap for the duo. It is looking better than expected. They still have a 22s gap.
But in the end no chance for them. With 3,6km they are caught and MTN and Mix1 have still 2 riders each in front of their sprinter.
Uwimana and Abraham are a bit lonely on the left side trying without much help by their teammates. Velits, Ben Youcef and Akkouche fight for the best wheels while Ansons/Saramotins and even more South Africa`s 2nd favourite Van Heerden lost their good positions on this final lap.
1,9km and both sprinters have their final lead-out starting the sprint. Fouche for Day and Redecker for Abdallah.
Fouche did an awesome job bringing Day to the best position with 1km to go. Rwanda`s Uwimana with the perfect wheel right behind Day.
Ben Youcef and Ansons coming fast on the left now while Abdallah needs to go the long way now while Day is still waiting for the right moment.
Realizing that Abdallah is coming fast from behind it`s time for the MTN sprinter to leave Fouche`s wheel. In especially as Ben Youcef and Ansons both overtook him already.
And the perfect leadout brings MTN the first win. Tyler Day finished the team`s work today. Abdallah sprints on a brilliant 2nd by looking at his bad position with 1km to go. Surely he could have had won this race. Ansons wins the fight for the last podium against Ben Youcef and Uwimana. Sohrabi and Ghafari with nice results for the Iranians with Velits, Saramotins and Minoungou as next. Van Heerden surely the biggest disappointment as 13th only.
Tyler Day and 
Cherif Abdallah.
Hadi
Reguigui
Petrus (Mix1)
Hasnaoui
Teklit (Jaguar)
Grmay (Mix2)
Abelouache, 
Konte (Mix2), 
Saramotins and 
Gavenda and 
Mahdi Sohrabi
Oumaru Minoungou
