The Citizen (Gauteng)

King happy to fly flag for SA’s Di-Data

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Wesley Bo on

Though he admitted it was one of the toughest days of his career, American rider Ben King (above) was delighted to secure a second stage win for South African team Dimension Data at the Vuelta a Espana at the weekend.

As he did when he won the fourth stage of the Grand Tour race earlier in the week, King joined an early break on Sunday’s 195km ninth stage between Talavera de la Reina and La Covatilla, with 11 riders opening a gap on the peloton which stretched to more than nine minutes at one juncture.

The former US national champion dropped the last of his challenger­s – Spanish rider Lluis Mas (Caja Rural-Seguros) – before the final climb and held on to win by 48 seconds.

Having narrowed the gap on the brutal climbs near the end of the stage, Dutch rider Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) took second place.

“I don’t think I have suffered that much in my career,” King said.

“Being chased by a guy like Mollema is a lot of pressure and it took a lot to keep believing and keep suffering that much. But I know what it means to me, what it means to the team and to the people who support and believe in me.”

King was the top Di-Data rider in the general classifica­tion, climbing to 18th place, a little more than three minutes behind overall leader Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) of Great Britain.

He was also lying second in the King of the Mountains classifica­tion.

“I’m really proud and happy to be out front again and fly the flag for the team and Qhubeka (team charity),” King said.

“It was a special day, and a special La Vuelta so far, and it’s not even over.”

Louis Meintjes, also competing for the Di-Data team, was the best of the South African riders, lying 22nd overall heading into today’s 10th stage.

It was a special day for me, and it’s been a special La Vuelta so far, and it’s not even over.

Ben King Dimension Data rider

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