Cycling fans may already have noted that Team MTN-Qhubeka has become Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka from the start of 2016. While the team’s title sponsor and team colours have changed, its dedication to supporting Qhubeka has not, and we are excited to see what 2016 holds through the team’s continued commitment to the #BicyclesChangeLives campaign, which will again seek to raise funds for bicycles for 5,000 people in Qhubeka’s work-to-earn programmes.
“We’re thrilled that the team will become the first ever UCI World Tour Team from the African continent and we hope that their new journey on the World Tour circuit will expose Qhubeka’s work to even more people than previously,” says Qhubeka Executive Director, Sarah Phaweni. “We are thankful to Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka and its sponsors, including Dimension Data, Deloitte and Cervélo, for their passion in helping us to change more lives with bicycles through our projects. We wish the team every success in achieving their goals this year, and look forward to cheering them on as they continue to bring African cycling into the world spotlight, as well as the work we do at Qhubeka and World Bicycle Relief.”
Douglas Ryder, Team Principal, says that 2016 is the biggest step in the team’s history to date. “The first division or World Tour in cycling requires depth and consistency and I am confident that our riders and staff are ready for this incredible challenge. Most importantly ,we have been fortunate to receive support from the most incredible partners in so many areas and on so many levels on and off the bike. Our partners will help this team move forward successfully and ensure that the Qhubeka Charity remains at the forefront of everything we do as we continue to accelerate the ambitions of African cycling and make an impact that matters in the communities.”
Brett Dawson, Dimension Data’s Group CEO reflected on the rapid developments for the company within cycling, saying, “In the past 10 months since Dimension Data entered the world of professional cycling, ASO [organiser of the Tour de France and other major sporting events] appointed us as its Official Technology Partner. Then in July, we became a sponsor of Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung. Now, we‘re very excited to officially become the title partner of Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka. We’re looking forward to accelerating the Qhubeka Charity and the ambitions of this amazing team as we continue to support their iconic rise from being one of the five wild-card teams invited to ride at last year‘s Tour de France for the first time, to becoming the first team on the African continent to participate in the UCI World Tour this year.”
So black is the colour. Kit Looks much better in black