Volta a Maputo - 07 - 09 de Setembro de 2007

Stage 1 - 68km (7 September, 2007 Friday)

The first stage of the very first Tour was fast from the word go. The new name in cycling in Mozambique has just made himself known. The stage began with the newcomer to sport, Manuel Malaia getting spat out the back on the very first km. 5km into the race came the climb that had Imran struggling. Another 5km later Imran called it quits as his internal BB casing came right off the frame. That was it for Imran's participation in the first tour.

Tim Fair was the first attacker, testing the waters. The second attack from Tim came when Alvaro was pacing at the front. Carlos followed Tim taking J.Antonio. Alvaro dug real and chased with Vicente on the wheel. Meanwhile Carlos dished out a strong pace in the front. Alvaro and Vicente bridged the gap. Tim grabbed wheel with Vicente but Carlos decided to push on. At Goba and with 40km to go Tim was in trouble and in pain and went out the back. Minutes later Vicente was also alone.

This left J.Antonio and Alvaro chasing Carlos. The gap was 30 seconds and closing. Alvaro suffered a flat. The back up vehicle was no where near Alvaro lost time. After wheel change Alvaro had about 4-5km to bridge to J.Antonio. Carlos took the honours. Alvaro caught J.Anotonio on the final 100meters climb to the finish and gained 5 seconds. Vicente came in fourth. When Carlos was crossing the line Tim was pulling out of the tour about 10km fom the finish at the top of Pedreira.

Stage 2 - 20.7km ITT (8 September, 2007 Saturday)

The second stage brought a fierce battle as Carlos tried to limit his losses on the time Trialist Alvaro and climber J.Antonio. Eventual winner of the ITT was Alvaro who posted the fastest time ever on the route beating the 3 year standing record by Aussie James Leggat. Even time trialist Joao Rodrigues known as one of the best time trialists in Mozambique has had a shot at the record but has always come short.

Stage 3 - 80km (9 September, 2007 Sunday)

Stage 3 started off without Alvaro. The pace was high from the word go. Duncan Wyness set the pace as Carlos was up to defending his time from J.Antonio who was the closest to him. The first break came after bonus spot 3 when Duncan decided to attack the group. After gaing about a 50m gap Carlos decided to bridge the gap leaving J.Antonio and Vicente to chase. Abilio wasn't able to go with any group and had to ride on his own to the end.

Carlos hung on to Duncan and helped to increase the pace to increase the gap to the two chasers. Carlos sprinted against Duncan who won the sprint on fresh legs. Vicente suffered a flat and came in fourth and J.Anotnio in third. Abilio came in fifth. The first winner of the Tour is Carlos Sales who through actions has shown that he has taken the competitiveness of the sport to a new level.