Thomson’s American-based United Healthcare team managed to limit the damage caused by a 10-rider breakaway that moved clear after 30km on the undulating 176.1km haul from Vila Nova de Cerveira to Fafe.
Two South Africans, Darren Lill (Team Bonitas) and Dennis van Niekerk (MTN Qhubeka) were involved in the breakaway, which built up a lead of over six minutes at one point. But as they approached the final 20km the peloton began to close the gap as the front group started to tire and splinter.
Van Niekerk was one of the first to capitulate and was eventually caught by the peloton, but Lill managed to stay in contact with the breakaway to finish in fifth place, 11 seconds behind stage winner, Portugal’s Cesar Fonte (Efapel/Glassdrive).
Reinardt Janse van Rensburg (MTN Qhubeka) won the bunch sprint for 10th place to round off a strong showing by South Africans. Thomson, who has a 17-second lead over Fonte, also retained his lead in the King of the Mountains competition.
Stage 4 on Sunday sees the tour’s first mountain stage over 151.9km from Viana do Castelo to a mountain-top finish at Mondim de Basto.
For detailed results and more race information, visit www.volta-portugal.com
Sunday, 19 August 2012 04:07
South Africans continue to shine at Tour of Portugal Featured
South Africans continue to shine at Tour of Portugal
South African allrounder Jay Thomson survived another aggressive assault on his lead to retain the yellow jersey at the Tour of Portugal professional road cycling race on Saturday.
Published in
Road Cycling News
