The opening stage here isn't the toughest and you'd imagine the most likely outcome is an uphill sprint. Late attacks also a possibility on these sorts of stages.
Chaiyasombat wins the first intermediate sprint by virtue of his positioning prior to the mini sprint.
Robov comes through and wins the KOM sprint shortly after.
Just after the KOM sprint, we have our confirmed breakaway for the day of 6 riders. Their gap at 3 minutes with 121km to go. Robov Chaiyasombat Stavrakakis Otruba Gillett Howson
Robov makes it 2 from 2 for the KOM sprints.
A very passionate crowd on the roads here which is great to see as they cheer Robov through for yet another KOM sprint win. Chaiyasombat has been picking up the points with multiple 2nd places. The breakaway's lead is 2'30 with 73km remaining.
It's not a perfect record for the Bulgarian as he misses out on the points at the final KOM sprint of the day. This time it's Otruba who takes maximum points.
The Peloton headed at the moment by some very strong riders which is really stretching them out. They have also brough the gap down to 1'40 with 45km to go.
And the breakaway has been caught as we pass through the kite signaling another 20km until the finish line.
10km now to go and no change to the race situation. The top favourites are all at the front of the Peloton.
It does appear there has been a split with 46 riders caught out! The pace in the Peloton is high so this isn't too surprising. Watson and Teuns are here. The team you'd expect to work to bring this group back is Eurosport as basically all of their team is caught out here.
At the front there is action too as Hagen tries an attack with 6km still remaining.
He is briefly caught but he doesn't give up just yet and goes again with 4km to go.
Only 2km remaining and Hagen just in the lead as he's about to start the sprint up to the line. Nzeke is doing the work right now.
1.4km and it looks as if Hagen can say good bye to hopes of a stage win. Felline has a very good kick and currently leads the Peloton. He has Borges right on his wheel.
Under the kite and it's now Skujins who is driving everyone forward. Hagen on the left-hand side is still hanging on to hope.
500m now and the proper sprint between the favourites is in full swing! No one in the driving seat at the moment.
400m and it's Skujins who currently leads. He seems to have shut the gate somewhat on Van Stayen.
Only 100m to go and it's a 2 horse race between Skujins and Borges.
And it is Skujins who wins the opening stage here. Borges is 2nd. Bobridge is 3rd for the local team.
Oliviera makes it 2 in the Top 5 for his team. Eiking is 5th. Van Stayen will be disappointed with 6th while Kreder is 7th. Hagen kept enough strength to take 8th.
And there are gaps! 51 riders finish on the same time as the stage winner. Fraile is in a group of 6 at + 47".
There is then a much larger group at + 1'03.
Skujins leads the Points. Robov leads the KOM. Oliveira leads U25s. Only 2 other riders finished on the same time. Duolingo leads the Teams.
Tour of South Africa - Stage 1 Report 
