House solos to opening stage win

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Kristian House (Rapha Condor Sharp) enjoyed his time under the African sun when he rode solo to the finish, to win the first stage of the new Cell C Tour of South Africa. The 2009 British Road Race Champion also took the leader's gold jersey. Returning this season from a two-year doping suspension, Herman Fouche (DCM) won the bunch sprint for second place while former Lampre rider Milan Kadlec (Czech Republic) rounded out the podium.

After a nervous start to the race, no attacks were allowed to go until Martin Blaha (Czech Republic) and House finally got away just after the half-way mark. A lack of co-operation from the chasing teams allowed the breakaway to gain a maximum gap of seven minutes and 35 seconds. Blaha found the pace a little too much with 50km to go, when House dropped him on a slight incline.

Asked if he was worried being out front alone so far out from the finish the British rider said, "I waited for him three or four times, but I knew the last 40km were quite hilly, so decided to just ride, not that I was even thinking of the win."

Now the first leader of the race, House surprised himself with the win in his first race of the season but knows the overall victory will be hard to achieve. "We'll see what happens and take it one day at a time, but there are some big climbs coming up so we'll see," said House.

Europcar was dealt a blow when Anthony Charteau had to abandon the race after breaking his collarbone. The 2010 Tour de France King of the mountains winner was the race favourite after winning La Tropicale Amissa Bongo three weeks ago.

Stage 2 will take the riders on a 163km journey through the streets of Johannesburg including Soweto.