Team MTN-Qhubeka sets its eyes at the Tour de France
The African squad, Team MTN-Qhubeka targets the most prestigious cycling race of the season, the Tour de France and is determined to be the first African squad at the mega event.
It received the Professional Continental licence earlier this week as UCI added three more teams to the category, Team Colombia, Team Type 1 and Team MTN-Qhubeka.
Team Sports Director, Jens Zemke noted that riding the Tour de France is definitely a long-term goal for team but he will not overlook it.
“It will take a few years but the goal is to the first African team to take part in the Tour de France. That's a long-term goal, but we want to reach it,” he noted.
“We wanted to start with Qatar and Oman, but it looks like that won't work out, so I am looking for alternatives like Ruta del Sol or Algarve. Then the Classics, like (Omloop Het) Nieuwsblad and maybe Tour of Flanders”.
“The step from Continental to Professional Continental is enormous, really huge. Even just the conditions you have to fulfil, like insurance, the bio-passport, the vehicles, the personnel, all of that....”.
A total number of Professional Continental teams for the 2013 season is now increased to 16, the previous teams confirmed about their status are, Team Accent Jobs-Wanty, Team Androni Giocattoli, Team Caja Rural, Team CCC Polsat Polkowice, Team Cofidis and
Team Solutions Credits,
Team IAM Cycling, Team Landbouwkrediet-Euphony, Team Sojasun, Team Europcar, Team Netapp-Endura, Team Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise, Team United HealthCare Professional Cycling Team and Team Vini Fantini, all will enjoy the Pro Continental status for the season
ahead.
Whereas, UCI has confirmed only eight World Tour teams for the new season including, Team Astana, Team BMC, Team Cannondale, Team Lampre-Merida, Team Omega Pharma-Quick Step, Team Orica-GreenEdge, Team Sky Procycling and Team Vacansoleil DCM.
The final list of teams to ride at the top level of the sport will be confirmed by the Sports Organising body, UCI by December 10, 2012.
It will be interesting to see, if the team manages to receive a Tour de France wild-card entry to fulfil its ultimate goal.
Tags: