Craven takes on Vuelta a Espana

Professional cyclist Dan Craven was ecstatic after completing his first Vuelta a Espana last weekend. The 31-year old was the first Namibian to have ever participated in one of the three grand tours, the greatest events in road cycling (Vuelta a Espana, Giro D’Italia and Tour de France) and making Namibia one of only three African nations to have a rider in a grand tour in recent years (after South Africa and Eritrea). “I, Dan Craven of Omaruru, Namibia, have just finished a Grand Tour. Blimey! Who’d have thought that a year ago!?” the former African champ tweeted after joining the elite group of athletes to have ever completed a grand tour, celebrated the feat as well as the fact that he has fought hard to get to the top level after several year plagued by health issues. Craven’s role in the team was to make sure his captain from Team Europcar, Romain Sicard, would finish as far at the top as possible. And, with the help of his Namibian team member, who only joined the team in July, the Frenchman made a Top-20 place, coming in at 13th. Craven ended the race in 140th place from 159 Finishers and 219 Starters.