Johann van Zyl clocked the fastest time of the MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung riders at the 3 Days of West Flanders opening prologue today. Van Zyl stopped the clock at 8'15" over the 7km course in Middelkerke. The young South African's time was good enough for 17th on the day just 18" seconds behind the stage victor.

The victory went to Anton Vorobyev (Team Katusha) who was just ahead of Jesse Sergent (Trek Factory Racing) in 2nd and Alexis Gougeard (AG2R La Mondiale) in 3rd place. Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung now turn its attention to the two upcoming road stages this weekend.

In Tyler Farrar and Theo Bos we have two riders capable of taking the stage wins if they are to come down to the expected bunch sprint. Both riders will be able to count on the support from van Zul, Jay Thomson, Jaco Venter, Matt Brammeier, Serge Pauwels and Adrien Niyonshuti over the coming days.
 
Today went well and I felt good," van Zyl said. "I struggled a little to get my heart rate going but by the time I got to the turnaround point the engine was running good. It was a headwind heading out and super-fast coming back. So I tried to hold back a little going back so that I could get on top of the gear coming home. I think I managed that pretty well but there is always room for improvement with my TTs.

"We have good opportunities to win a stage tomorrow or Sunday. So I will be there ready to support where I can and if the chance is there, maybe jump in the break and get lucky. "