Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung will be racing on two continents this weekend when it takes part in the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic (UCI 1.1) in the UK and the Alexian Brothers Tour of Elk Grove (UCI 2.1) in the United States of America.
The RideLondon-Surrey Classic takes place on Sunday 4 August and starts at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and will finish on The Mall in central London. Eight WorldTour teams are confirmed for the event along with a host of Pro Continental and Continental teams. Fans have an opportunity to see the peloton several times on the Leith Hill loop and then the race will go over Box Hill like in the Olympic road race.
“We are really excited to be included in the starting line-up for this event, another huge event for Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung and our first race of the season in the UK on such an iconic and challenging course,” said Team Principal, Douglas Ryder. “The team has a large fan base in the UK and for Jay Thompson to wear the SA National Team kit and for our Milan San Remo winner Gerald Ciolek to be racing shows how serious we are about making an impact in this race and in the UK.”
Tour of Elk Grove is a three-day event in Chicago from 2-4 August. It will be the return to competition for many of our athletes since the mid-season break. Tsgabu Grmay will debut his colours as the new champion of Ethiopia.
“Our first participation in the US since becoming Africa’s first Pro Continental Team is a big deal for Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung. Our partners TREK, SRAM and Speedplay pedals are super happy for us to be in the US and we are also happy to be showing the US cycling fans the cycling talent that exists in Africa. With most of the team being African and South African and with the newly crowned Ethiopian road and time trial champion Tsgabu Grmay we are looking forward to making an impact on the racing.”
Race information: http://www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk
RideLondon-Surrey Classic (England) – (August 4 / UCI 1.1): Andreas Stauff (GER), Gerald Ciolek (GER), Ferekalsi Debesay (ERI), Jaco Venter (RSA), Jay Thomson (RSA)
Race information: http://tourofelkgrove.com/
Tour of Elk Grove (America) – (August 2-4 / UCI 2.1): Jacques Janse van Rensburg (RSA), Kristian Sbaragli (ITA), Martin Wesemann (RSA) Meron Russom (ERI), Louis Meintjes (RSA), Songezo Jim (RSA), Tsgabu Grmay (ETH)
Looking forward to seeing the MTN boys at the Prudential ride this weekend, stoked to have got an entry and looking forward to the route.