MTN-Qhubeka announces first ever African Tour de France squad
MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung, the first African Continental Pro team ever to participate at the Tour de France, presented its Tour de France race squad today.
The African professional road racing team said that it is delighted to announce the final nine man strong squad that will make history as the first African team to participate in Le Tour de France.
Starting on 4 July nine riders will represent the African continent with millions of people around the world tuned in to watch the Tour de France, the world’s biggest bike race.
Among the riders are two cyclists from Eritrea the announcement said,
“We are delighted to select two Eritrean riders, the first men ever from the country, to take part in the Tour de France. In all likelihood, Merhawi Kudus will also be the youngest rider in the race, while Daniel Teklehaimanot will start the Grande Boucle fresh off winning our team’s first-ever World Tour leaders jersey at the recent Criterium du Dauphine.”
Eritrea’s Natnael Berhane will be among the two reserve riders participating in the competition.
Three South African riders from the team will have their Tour de France debut: the African champion, Louis Meintjes, South African champion, Jacques Janse van Rensburg, and Reinardt Janse van Rensburg.
MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung riders for 102nd Le Tour de France
Edvald Boasson Hagen [Norway – profile]
Steve Cummings [Great Britain – profile]
Tyler Farrar [USA – profile]
Jacques Janse van Rensburg [South Africa – profile]
Reinardt Janse van Rensburg [South Africa – profile]
Merhawi Kudus [Eritrea – profile]
Louis Meintjes [South Africa – profile]
Serge Pauwels [Belgium – profile]
Daniel Teklehaimanot [Eritrea – profile]