The 2016 cycling season concluded a couple of weeks ago and once again it has been an incredibly successful one for Africa’s leading professional cycling team. Based out of Johannesburg, Dimension Data for Qhubeka managed to win 32 races this year, while climbing the podium more than 70 times. 5 stage wins, a “Yellow“ and “Green Jersey“ at the Tour de France was also among the achievements as was the team’s first ever win in a special category at a Grand Tour, taking home the “Best Climber“ classification of the Vuelta a Espana.
Staying at the Southern Sun, The Cullinan, Dimension Data for Qhubeka is currently preparing for the upcoming season in the Western Cape. It is the first time the 2017 team meets. Over the last few days the riders went out on several training rides and spent some time with its main sponsors Dimension Data, Deloitte and Cervélo, to name a few.
Earlier today the team presented itself to the public at the scenic Cape Town Waterfront. In an engaging event all 28 riders were introduced to fans and media. Lead by Mark Cavendish, Omar Fraile, and Daniel Teklehaimanot the team also revealed its fresh new look.
In recent years the 5-finger-salute has become synonymous with our African team. The hand will once again feature on the back of the jersey. However, the jersey also reveals 28 smaller hands. Subtly printed on the green livery they symbolize the children who receive help through the way how our 28 riders are racing, through the amount of awareness they are able to raise for Qhubeka and through their way of competing at the highest level of our sport. During this weeks training camp each of the riders will personally give a child a Qhubeka bike at a distribution ceremony, thus offering a direct link. Furthermore, the team will also be echoing Qhubeka’s new call to action #DoYourPart, an innovative way to contribute to the charity. Supporters can now fund single parts or a complete bike to help mobilising people in Africa. To find out more, go to doyourpart.qhubeka.org.
Mark Cavendish, Rider, Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka
Douglas Ryder, Team Principal, Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka
Dimension Data for Qhubeka will take on the 2017 season with riders from 12 different nations. Once again the team will race ambitiously as it has set itself some serious goals. Racing to race awareness for the Qhubeka charity, the following 28 riders will sport the colors of the African team:
Igor Anton (Spain), Natnael Berhane (Eritrea), Edvald Boasson Hagen (Norway), Mark Cavendish (Great Britain), Stephen Cummings (Great Britain), Mekseb Debesay (Eritrea), Nicolas Dougall (South Africa), Bernhard Eisel (Austria), Tyler Farrar (USA), Omar Fraile (Spain), Ryan Gibbons (South Africa), Nathan Haas (Australia), Reinardt Janse van Rensburg (South Africa), Jacques Janse van Rensburg (South Africa), Ben King (USA), Merhawi Kudus (Eritrea), Lachlan Morton (Australia), Adrien Niyonsuti (Rwanda), Ben O’Connor (Australia), Serge Pauwels (Belgium), Youcef Reguigui (Algeria), Mark Renshaw (Australia), Kristian Sbaragli (Italy), Daniel Teklehaimanot (Eritrea), Jay Robert Thomson (South Africa), Scott Thwaites (Great Britain), Johann van Zyl (South Africa), Jaco Venter (South Africa)
Jeremy Ord, Executive Chairman, Dimension Data
Tom Galizia, Deloitte Principal and Sponsorship Lead
Antoine Ballon, Head of Marketing, Cervélo
Very naaas....