Leading the pack in trip out of apartheid (5)

I believe the answer is:

ahead

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'leading' is the definition.
('ahead' can be a synonym of 'leading')

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for ahead that I've seen before include "advanced" , "Winning" , "at pole" , "Forward - in front" , "In the leading position" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times and the Irish Times (Crosaire).

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