Craven in first win

NAMIBIAN cyclist, Dan Craven won his first race of the 2010 season on Sunday in England.
Craven was riding for his UK team, Rapha Condor Sharp in the Clayton Velo Spring Classic race in the UK.

Following a disappointing end to the 2009 season with a broken collar bone, which prevented him from defending his African Championship title in Windhoek, Craven was delighted with his great start in the new year. ‘For me, being a well known non-sprinter, it’s really cool to win this race. I must also say I knew I had four strong guys in the group behind. I knew if I didn ft pull it off with such strong guys at the back it would be very disappointing for them and the team if I hadn’t won. I think the team had a good showing for the first outing of the year.’The 43rd edition of the Clayton Velo Spring Classic began in Clithero and while the hills surrounding the town was covered with snow, the weather was a lot better than had been predicted. Cold yes, but not freezing and it was dry and perfect for an early season race. The Elite group had renowned Olympic medallist Chris Newton as a notable starter.Matt Cronshaw (Rapha Condor Sharp) broke for an early solo effort, but with five of 14 laps to go was reeled in by Peter Williams of Motorpoint Marshalls Pasta and eventual winner Craven .Craven, who was determined to see off closest rival, Peter Williams, to win the race complained of exhaustion after the competition.’I was feeling a bit sluggish and he (Williams) was doing harder pulls than I was and he could see that I was struggling. Then with a lap and a half to go, he attacked me twice and those two efforts to bring him back, kind of kick started me and woke the legs up.’Williams gave a strong challenge to Craven in the final kilometre and a half, but could not recover after Craven jumped him at the sprint and as he drew alongside.