Matt Brammeier, Philip Lavery on the attack in South Africa as Connor McConvey hits deck

Matt Brammeier in his national champion's kit getting into the main escape of the day with a couple of Rapha Condor JLT men.

By Graham Healy

National road champion, Matt Brammeier (Synergy-Baku) made a valiant attempt at a stage win in today’s opening 140-kilometre road stage from Golden Gate to Clarens of the Mzansi Tour in South Africa, but unfortunately suffered with cramp on the last climb.

Earlier in the stage Brammeier’s team mate Philip Lavery showed that he may be finding his form from last season, by getting into the first break of the day along with Steven van Heerden (Team Europcar SA) just six kilometres in.

However, they weren’t given much leeway, and were hauled back by the peloton.

The third Irishman in the race, Connor McConvey was unlucky when he was involved in a crash a little later, but was able to continue.

Brammeier then managed to infiltrate the main break of the day of twenty riders, which was subsequently reduced to just six as they approached the last climb.

The Irish champion suffered with cramp in the last ten kilometres and fell back to leave Richard Handley (Rapha Condor JLT) and Janse van Rensburg (MTN Qhubeka) to fight out for the stage win. Van Rensburg finished thirteen seconds clear of Handley, who was fourth overall in last year’s Rás.

McConvey and Lavery finished 2’08” behind in 33^rd and 34^th places respectively. Brammeier came in over six minutes back.

Stage 3 tomorrow, Thursday, will see the riders take on the 155 kilometres from Clarens and ends with a mountain-top finish at Golden Gate Highlands National Park.

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Van Rensburg now leads the race with McConvey and Lavery in 22^nd and 23^rd places overall.

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Philip Lavery and Connor McConvey - both Irishmen riding for Synergy Baku - in a moment of calm on what was an eventful day for the Irish under the African sun.

Lavery proved adept at making a nuisance of himself today; hopefully a sign of his building form for the long campaign ahead with his new Continental team. Yellow jersey man today, Rapha Condor JLT's Kristian House to Lavery's left.