The SA Junior Tour in Ermelo, Mpumalanga, enters the final stage this morning(Monday) with Johan Nothnagel (Barloworld-SG) wearing the leader’s jersey and followed closely (four seconds adrift!) by his team mate, Johann Rabie.

Third place on the GC is taken by Finish Line GN’s Duncan Viljoen.

Sunday’s Kermesse, held in appalling wet weather, nevertheless showcased a battle royal between Rabie and gritty KZN all-rounder, Burry Stander.

With just the final 5,5km lap to go on the undulating but fast Ermelo circuit, Rabie and Stander rode away from the bunch together.

Despite a huge effort from Pieter Henning (Finish Line GN)to get across to them, the pair maintained an astonishing pace and Rabie finally got the better of Stander to claim a superb victory.

A measure of the quality of the performance from the leading duo was that both riders averaged over 47km/h in those dreadful conditions!

There is still everything to play for in Monday’s final 120km stage, with Rabie tracking Nothnagel’s every move in the hope that he can turn that four second deficit into a winning margin, while Nothnagel will be doing his best to produce a faultless ride and hold on for ultimate victory!