Events

Louis Meintjes Extends With Team MTN-Qhubeka

· By BikeHubCoreAdmin · 13 comments

Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung is proud to announce Louis Meintjes has extended his contract with the team. The silver medalist from the world championships will remain with the team through 2015. The announcement was made at a function at MTN South Africa headquarters in Johannesburg, Friday.

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Image credit: MTN-Qhubeka

Brian Gouldie, MTN SA Chief Marketing Officer says: “We’re delighted to have Louis extend with the team, especially after his amazing achievements this year. He’s represented the brand well on the world stage and is proving that Africa can compete on an international level in the sporting arena when given the opportunity. We’re extremely proud to provide the platform for the talent coming from Africa. The athletes are given the opportunity to race within the highly professional structure of

Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung and we’re happy they feel comfortable in our environment.”

21 year old, Meintjes has had an impressive debut in the professional ranks. The year started with him winning the South African under 23 road race and time trial championships. He’s finished in the top ten on the general classification of several races including Tour de Taiwan, Tour de Korea and La Tropicale Amissa Bongo.

He gained more recognition recently when he came close to winning the world under 23 championships in Florence, Italy and earned the silver medal.

“I feel really comfortable here after turning professional this year,” Meintjes said. The team is great in that we as the athletes get all the support we need and the team makes our job easy for us. What we’ve achieved as a team is due to great support from everyone from the staff to the riders. I really like the professional team environment. The management brought international riders on board for us younger riders to learn from and I feel it’s worked really well to gain experience and I look forward to this continuing into the future.”

Team Principal, Douglas Ryder added, “We’re a high performance race team and have created an environment where the athletes have access to the best coaching and equipment in the world. We have set goals for each athlete throughout the season and although Louis is in his first year as a professional, we’ve given him a leadership role and it’s something he has relished. We’re an African team and believe in the talent from the continent and we’re very happy that the best athletes from the continent feel comfortable here,” Ryder concluded.

Comments

NOFX

Oct 19, 2013, 5:24 AM

Very cool....... Louis has a huge future ahead

Guest DieBees

Oct 19, 2013, 5:29 AM

Only a matter of time before he gets taken by bigger Pro teams....

 

Bright future for this young chap!

Jaco-fiets

Oct 19, 2013, 6:58 AM

Someone we can get excited about! Do you guys think it was a good choice to extend contract? I reckon he would have received an offer from bigger pro tour team anyway

Clinton H

Oct 19, 2013, 7:04 AM

The MTN train got him this far , perhaps extending his contact with them is a bit of a thank you .

b-rad

Oct 19, 2013, 8:06 AM

A great talent. I think the fact that he is staying with MTN will do wonders for his racing development. Having the largely South African support team and other African riders in the team is massive and makes the transition that much easier.

I think if he joined one of the top teams now he may be sucked up and not allowed as much freedom (leadership role) as he has with MTN. He can develop good confidence with MTN.

This guy has a long and bright future ahead of him so why rush things.

Jaco-fiets

Oct 19, 2013, 8:37 AM

A great talent. I think the fact that he is staying with MTN will do wonders for his racing development. Having the largely South African support team and other African riders in the team is massive and makes the transition that much easier.

I think if he joined one of the top teams now he may be sucked up and not allowed as much freedom (leadership role) as he has with MTN. He can develop good confidence with MTN.

This guy has a long and bright future ahead of him so why rush things.

 

You could also argue that the quicker he is sucked into a real euro pro setup the quicker the transition will be. The only way he will fade in a euro team is if he lacks mental capability. Something I thing this youngster has.

Jaco-fiets

Oct 19, 2013, 8:39 AM

The MTN train got him this far , perhaps extending his contact with them is a bit of a thank you .

 

I'm sorry but if his decision to sign is based on an emotional "thank you" then his international career will probably end with MTN as well

BeegMig

Oct 19, 2013, 9:00 AM

I'm sorry but if his decision to sign is based on an emotional "thank you" then his international career will probably end with MTN as well

 

+ 1.

 

But maybe it's good to stay with a team like MTN for two more years to get seen, be a leader or a key-member of the team. Develop more and don't fade behind some big teammate superstar to be used as domestiqe or lead out. If you move to a big team too quick your talent might end up wasted.

 

But then again. Maybe he should have considered other offers. And take on the world, guns blazing.

Jaco-fiets

Oct 19, 2013, 9:02 AM

+ 1.

 

But maybe it's good to stay with a team like MTN for two more years to get seen, be a leader or a key-member of the team. Develop more and don't fade behind some big teammate superstar to be used as domestiqe or lead out. If you move to a big team too quick your talent might end up wasted.

 

But then again. Maybe he should have considered other offers. And take on the world, guns blazing.

 

Also a good point! Let's hope the "cycling gods" favor this youngster

Sworks20

Oct 19, 2013, 9:37 AM

You could also argue that the quicker he is sucked into a real euro pro setup the quicker the transition will be. The only way he will fade in a euro team is if he lacks mental capability. Something I thing this youngster has.

 

Or he will get lost in the system and no offence to Louise but 1 race doesnt always make a career, team would look at what he has done all season before making decisions and how many points he has unfortunately.

 

MTN are a full Pro Conti team this is basically a Pro Tour Team but doesnt have the budget (yet) to buy a PT licence. They will ride the Tour next year.

 

There is nothing Non Euro or Non Pro set up with MTN.

Wez-O

Oct 21, 2013, 11:40 AM

As Louis is the best potential GC contender in the MTN squad, this is great news!

'Dale

Oct 21, 2013, 12:03 PM

Excellent!

Wannabe

Oct 21, 2013, 12:12 PM

He has been based in Europe for a few years already. I can remember him spending months at a time in Europe when he was part of the Developement / Academy Team.

Saw him in December, I just finished a 100km ride, he at that stage already did 4 hrs on the bike and said he had another 4 hrs to do. Still looked as fresh as can be.

This youngster is the real deal. (very modest to boot)

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