Penultimate test set for Craven

Professional cyclist Dan Craven is currently competing at Tour de l’Ain in France, his last test before the announcement of the final Team Europcar line-up for the world-renowned Vuelta a Espana which is set to take place from 23 August to 19 September in Spain. Craven is short-listed for his team’s final squad for Spain. The Vuelta a Espana is one of the three major races in Europe, considered to be on the same level as the Tour de France and the Giro de Italia. Craven, who signed a contract with his new employer, Team Europcar barely three months ago, will be the first Namibian ever to take part in one of the world’s three big cycling tours. Things did not start too brightly for the cycling ace tough. During the prologue, the 32 year old crossed the finish line on position 84.

“Just lengthened the long list of disappointing prologue results on my résumé. Now that’s done, I’m looking forward to the rest of race,” said Craven. He however, stepped up his game at the first stage to finish together with the main field in a mass sprint finish. There are two more stages scheduled before the world elite will look to Spain. Judging by his current run, Craven will keep on improving in the next days. The upcoming longer stages on hilly terrain are also more suited to Craven than the short and fast prologue. During the Commonwealth Games, he was one of only 12 riders to complete the race, coming in an exceptional 9th place. If it was not for a crash in the last round, the former African champion could have booked himself a much better position.