After finishing third in the opening prologue time trial on Saturday, the South Africans claimed second place on Sunday’s Stage 1, a tough circular 70km leg starting and finishing in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.

Team Kona’s Barry Wicks (USA) and Kris Sneddon (CAN) retained the race lead by winning the stage in 3hrs 14min 16sec. Stewart and Knox were just over two-and-a-half minutes back in 3:16:59, with the Rocky Mountain Factory Team of Marty Lazarski (CAN) and Stefan Widmer (CAN) third, just under another minute back in 3:17:56.

Monday’s Stage 2 is a circular 60km loop around Cumberland with around 1600m of climbing.

For detailed results, photos and more information, visit www.bcbikerace.com