Beijing Olympian Stander held off David George to win the second stage of the Pick n Pay Argus Giro del Capo cycle race in Durbanville on Wednesday.

Stander, the reigning World Under-23 mountain bike champion, had to contend with more inclement weather conditions, including rain and thunder before winning the 143-kilometre second stage in a time of 3hr 51mi 23sec.

The Team Specialized rider coped well with the three ascents of the tough Vissershok climb to beat George, who is riding for Team SAfindit.co.za. Third was Kevin Evans, winner of the time trial at last month’s national road championships in Klerksdorp.

Twenty-two-year-old Stander has now overtaken first stage winner Rene Haselbach of Austria in the overall standings and is in the pink jersey for Thursday’s penultimate stage.

“I said before the tour that I’d like to win a stage,” said Stander. “I got squeezed out in the sprint on the first stage but when I was on Kevin’s wheel with 500 metres to go I knew I had it.”

Thursday’s stage is a 171km trek in the Paarl vicinity.