An African team will compete in the Tour de France for the first time this summer, organisers have announced. The MTN-Qhubeka team based in South Africa are one of five teams that were granted wildcard invitations alongside the 17 mandatory World Tour entries.
The team had previously declared that they would want to mark Nelson Mandela Day on 18 July with a specially-designed kit if they were invited to take part in the race. The African team has some very experienced European riders in their ranks, including Edvald Boasson Hagen, Matt Goss and Tyler Farrar. They are currently in the second-tier UCI Continental league.
MTN-Qhubeka's general manager Brian Smith said the Nelson Mandela Foundation was very interested in helping the team to mark Mandela Day. "They have made it clear they would like to see an African team in the Tour de France, and maybe wearing a special jersey of 67 for Mandela Day," Smith said. The number signifies Mandela's 67 years of service to South Africa, starting with his years fighting apartheid, then the 27 years in jail, and five years as the country's president between 1994 and 1999.
The 102nd Tour de France will start in Utrecht, Netherlands, on 4 July. Chris Froome is the big favourite, he is 2/1 at Bet365 to win the race.
Shumar4life
9 years ago
African teams are so good in some other sports, and I believe that they can success in cycling too. This sport is not so popular in Africa, so this would be nice opportunity to promote this sport on theirs continent. I will support them, and it would be interesting to see what result they will make
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Tomas.White 9 years ago
This is amazing news for all lovers of amazing sport of bicycling. Tour de France has very long history and to be part of something that magnificent is something special for real. Last Tour de France was one of the best ones, and I believe that this year they can give fans what they deserve. Spreading influence on Africa...
This is amazing news for all lovers of amazing sport of bicycling. Tour de France has very long history and to be part of something that magnificent is something special for real. Last Tour de France was one of the best ones, and I believe that this year they can give fans what they deserve. Spreading influence on Africa is the way the organizers should think.
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