Dan Craven got a pleasant present for his 32nd birthday: a victory at the Namibian Championships. The Europcar rider arrived alone at the finish with an advantage of more than 4 minutes.

"For the professional cycling world, Namibia is unfortunately not very significant. But for me, the opportunity to wear the jersey of Namibia for the year ahead is great and that's why I came here," Dan Craven told national daily The Namibian.

"Representing Namibia in every race I do is an honor for me. I am proud to wear these bands [the shirt is blue and white with red stripes and gold, ed.] in Europe," he said.

Craven completely dominated the race on the hilly 135km course which he completed in 3.29.01. At the halfway mark, he created a gap "almost accidentally" and managed to increase it over the next kilometres. The chase started too late and the professional rider held off the peloton. He finished more than 4 minutes ahead of two young Namibian riders.