Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka will race the GP du canton d’Argovie which takes place on Thursday, 9 June in Gippengen, Switzerland.
The Swiss UCI 1.HC race is an event familiar to our African Team as it will be the 3rd time we participate in this testing 188km race. Last year Kristian Sbaragli had a solid ride in Gippengen and sprinted to a fine 5th place finish. This year Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka will once again look to play a significant role in the race.
Sbaragli will headline our team on Thursday together with Reinardt Janse van Rensburg with a podium result being the immediate goal for our African Team. Natnael Berhane, Merhawi Kudus, Jay Thomson, Adrien Niyonshuti, Matt Brammeier and Mekseb Debesay ensure we have a really strong and well-rounded team in Gippengen.
As in previous years the race will be run over 10 laps of a 18km course. The main obstacle of the lap presents itself in the first 5km as there is a 2.5km climb with an ever changing gradient. The road then rolls gently downhill toward the finish-line. While last year may have ended in a bunch sprint, the climb which needs to be completed 10 times ensures that it is only the fast men with good climbing ability who will be in contention for the victory.
Jens Zemke – Sport Director