We've arrived in South Africa for the African Championships, and the familiar route of the Nelspruit Classic. Last seen in 2017, when Boasson Hagen took the win. Hassen Ben Nasser is the African rider with the best results on this course, 6th in 2014, 7th in 2016. He rides again today - his only ride of the season, having become a free agent.
By nature, an African rider will certainly win today - but it is unlikely to be Ben Nasser. Areruya, Van Niekerk, Meintjes, Gebrezgabihier and Kudus top the bill.
Here's the field, with 22 nations involved.
And the startlist.
A large breakaway group attempted to go clear, but it was closely marked by South Africa, Eritrea and Rwanda.
In the end, 4 of the breakaway went clear on their own:
MOR
Chokri
El Mehdi
ISA - Hexacta
ALG
Hamza
Faycal
Project: Africa
MRI
Lebon
Jordan
Free Agent
CIV
Boundaogo
Haguibou
Free Agent
3 laps in, Bakari is the first to be dropped.
On the penultimate lap, the breakaway are caught by a select group of 35, but the field grew back up to 87 in the aftermath.
Into the last 10km, and there is a new split. A front group of 28, led mostly by Rwanda and South Africa.
The situation is not good for Ethiopia - Kebede was caught in a pair just off the back, and then the group is down to 27 as Grmay is dropped.
3km to go and the pace is ramping up. Ndayisenga, Hadi, Areruya and Uwizeyimana at the front for Rwanda; Gebrezgabihier and Berhane for Eritrea.
As well as more numbers for Eritrea, and the collection of South Africans, there's representation here as well for Namibia, Tunisia, Cameroon, Mauritius and Uganda.
Gebrezgabihier, Areruya and Van Niekerk are at the front. Seibeb is the leading Namibian.
Areruya makes his move round the bend. Meanwhile Meintjes is the South African out of the saddle, quite a long way back in the group.
Here's a closer look at Areruya, he's looking good, with a lot of riders looking like they are feeling the pace behind. Van Niekerk holding 2nd.
Final kilometre and here's a power move from Eritrea. Debesay is charging forwards, with Kudus in tow.
Now Kudus presses on.
And draws alongside Areruya!
Meintjes is on a charge now, with Khederi following.
But oof, the door is closed shut on his move by Ndayisenga, Berhane, Debesay and Gebrezgabihier.
It's down to Kudus and Areruya.
Merhawi Kudus is the African champion!
2nd for Areruya.
Meintjes makes it through for 3rd, from Berhane and Van Niekerk. Ndsayisenga, Seibeb and Debesay.
Gebrezgabihier is 9th, with Nzeke completing the Top 10 ahead of Khederi, and fellow Cameroonian Ngue.
Ssabagwanya is 13th, Smit 14th.
Le Court is 15th, completing the front group.
Other best finishers from their country are Kebede 18th, Manfred 20th, Kireva 23rd, Reguigui 33rd, Razafindrakato 38th, Mraouni 39th, Nikiema 43rd, Sanogo 51st, and Ngandamba 55th.
South Africa for the African Championships, and the familiar route of the Nelspruit Classic. Last seen in 
Hassen Ben Nasser is the African rider with the best results on this course, 6th in 2014, 7th in 2016. He rides again today - his only ride of the season, having become a free agent.
Areruya, 
Gebrezgabihier and Kudus top the bill.
Bakari is the first to be dropped.
Ethiopia - Kebede was caught in a pair just off the back, and then the group is down to 27 as Grmay is dropped.
Seibeb and Debesay.
Nzeke completing the Top 10 ahead of 
Ssabagwanya is 13th, Smit 14th.
Le Court is 15th, completing the front group.
Manfred 20th, 
Kireva 23rd, 
Reguigui 33rd, 
Razafindrakato 38th, 
Mraouni 39th, 
Nikiema 43rd, 
Sanogo 51st, and 
