Barloworld dominates South Africa

By Susan Westemeyer

Team Barloworld put its stamp on the Giro del Capo Wednesday, finishing first, second and third in stage one. Félix Rafael Cárdenas won the stage and took over the leader's jersey.

He was joined on the podium by teammates Hugo Sabido, second, and Alexander Efimkin, third. Sabido won the mountain jersey, and the team won the team ranking.

"I have selected the best riders in our team to compete in this race, and they have achieved their objective today," said Director Sportif Claudio Corti. "We wanted a podium finish, but with all three Team Barloworld riders lining the podium and securing top positions, we will have our work cut out for us, in ensuring we continue to be victorious."

David George of CSC Marcello finished fourth, and vowed to keep fighting. "I am not going to give them a tour victory on a platter," he told cyclingnews.co.za. "They will have to work for it. I think tomorrow's stage around Vissershok and the hill climb time trial is where the tour is going to be won or lost."