Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka riders were focused on winning today's final stage with Reinardt Janse van Rensburg being their protected rider for the day. The African team rode from the front all day and really put the pressure on the other teams, even causing a few splits in the crosswinds during the early part of the stage.
Everything would eventually come back together as the race reached the finishing circuit in Zagreb.
It was a technical circuit with narrow roads, a fair amount of road furniture, tram lines and a cobbled 1km climb to the finish. It was the ideal finish for Janse van Rensburg and our the African team really took charge leading into the final.
After some stellar work by Bernie Eisel and Mark Cavendish in the final 5km of the stage, the race was all set to be decided by a small group sprinting up the final climb. Disaster then struck for the African team. At 2km to go Janse van Rensburg came to a halt with a double puncture.
Unfortunately, that was the end of their hopes for the stage win after the team had worked incredibly hard up until that point. Nevertheless, Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka come away from the Tour of Croatia with a stage win and some good form as the riders look to the upcoming Giro d' Italia and the Amgen Tour of California now.
