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MTN-Qhubeka La Vuelta a Espana team annoucement


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Might be a dumb question, but why are there Europeans in a African continental team?

 

For the same reason Victor Mattfield is in the springbok team.

 

Experience

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Might be a dumb question, but why are there Europeans in a African continental team?

 

It is professional sport not amateur sport. Like half the Boks playing rugby in France. But they do call themselves African as that is where the team originates as a package of Sponsors, base and vision. The European riders are there for talent and experience. Hi heard an interview once that the ideal would be to have an all African team in the future. But for now they are building a name for the team so they get invited onto more tours.

 

They do bring those riders over to SA from time to time to train here. I would hope that one day we can stage a tour in SA that would attract other European teams to come race here. Maybe if these guys get respect over there and invite other teams to come over here we could see a revolution in cycling in SA.

 

Interesting think is that the UCI dropped SA for an WC event as there was a lack of spectators at the last such event.... Can not remember which event was talked about.

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Might be a dumb question, but why are there Europeans in a African continental team?

 

So the Vuelta team is 66% African.

 

Doug Ryder talks about the composition of the team in this video: play from 3:12 until 5:17

 

youtu.be/SF5mv_bwYVI?t=3m12s

 

http://youtu.be/SF5mv_bwYVI?t=3m12s

 

You can see the whole series on MTN-Qhubeka here:

Edited by GaryvdM
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