MTN-Qhubeka watch (possible spoilers)

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Comments

  • gpreeves
    gpreeves Posts: 454
    dish_dash wrote:
    Pleased with the invite, but will they have enough riders by then?! Or was the lite approach to Dwaars because they knew this invite was coming?

    I'd hope they'd be ok by then, but their website yesterday did mention "8 riders out for an extended period of time".

    They've got a squad at Coppi e Bartali today, so that probably partially accounts for the small squad yesterday.
  • gpreeves
    gpreeves Posts: 454
    On a related note, Coppi e Bartali could be well worth watching from a MTN perspective - they've got a young/exciting squad riding:

    MTN - QHUBEKA (MTN)
    RSA
    91 VAN NIEKERK Dennis RSA
    92 NIYONSHUTI Adrien RWA
    93 JANSE VAN RENSBURG Jacques RSA
    94 MEINTJES Louis RSA
    95 TEKLEHAIMANOT Daniel ERI
    96 KUDUS GHEBREMEDHIN Merhawi ERI
    97 DEBESAY ABRHA Ferekalsi ERI
  • No_Ta_Doctor
    No_Ta_Doctor Posts: 14,697
    dish_dash wrote:
    Pleased with the invite, but will they have enough riders by then?! Or was the lite approach to Dwaars because they knew this invite was coming?

    They've got a busy schedule at the moment.

    http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?page_id=64

    I don't actually know which riders are injured, or for how long.
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  • No_Ta_Doctor
    No_Ta_Doctor Posts: 14,697
    gpreeves wrote:
    On a related note, Coppi e Bartali could be well worth watching from a MTN perspective - they've got a young/exciting squad riding:

    MTN - QHUBEKA (MTN)
    RSA
    91 VAN NIEKERK Dennis RSA
    92 NIYONSHUTI Adrien RWA
    93 JANSE VAN RENSBURG Jacques RSA
    94 MEINTJES Louis RSA
    95 TEKLEHAIMANOT Daniel ERI
    96 KUDUS GHEBREMEDHIN Merhawi ERI
    97 DEBESAY ABRHA Ferekalsi ERI

    Yeah, very keen to see how they do. Bit too much TTing for them to have big hopes though.
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  • gpreeves
    gpreeves Posts: 454
    No tA Doctor wrote:
    Yeah, very keen to see how they do. Bit too much TTing for them to have big hopes though.

    True, the GC might be a bit of a stretch. Tomorrow's stage is lumpy enough to suit them though.
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    tumblr_n31p5s57jp1qacyk6o1_500.jpg

    @GeraldCiolek
    I will soon auction off my original @Milano_Sanremo jersey including bib number to support @Qhubeka! Stay tuned...
    Contador is the Greatest
  • FJS
    FJS Posts: 4,820
    20 year old Kudus got a very credible 10th spot in the final TT of the Coppi e Bartali. Tekle 9th an Meintjes not much further back
  • No_Ta_Doctor
    No_Ta_Doctor Posts: 14,697
    Yeah, they did pretty well. Kudus is definitely going to be one to watch over the next few years.

    The team's been getting in a lot of breaks so far this season, but not really getting the breaks, so to speak.
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  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,577
    They've got a Vuelta wild card.

    F**k yeah!
  • dish_dash
    dish_dash Posts: 5,647
    Whoop Whoop!
  • Richmond Racer
    Richmond Racer Posts: 8,561
    Good news! :)
  • No_Ta_Doctor
    No_Ta_Doctor Posts: 14,697
    Brilliant! Hope Kudus gets to ride!
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  • gpreeves
    gpreeves Posts: 454
    Fantastic news!
  • RonB
    RonB Posts: 3,984
    @SRAMroad: Historical moment for cycling, first African team racing the #TourofFlanders. Welcome @TeamMTNQhubeka …

    Ronde-940-560x275.jpg
  • tailwindhome
    tailwindhome Posts: 19,464
    BkzjpyQIMAAxh65.jpg


    Team MTN-Qhubeka Fan ‏@TeamMTNfans · 7m
    4 leaders jerseys in 1 day... not a bad day in the office for @Jacques002 and @TeamMTNQhubeka at @Mzansi_Tour pic.twitter.com/ApRbPiSTe4
    “New York has the haircuts, London has the trousers, but Belfast has the reason!
  • No_Ta_Doctor
    No_Ta_Doctor Posts: 14,697
    Ridiculous how dominant they are in this race really.

    After stage 3 they've got the top 4 GC spots, top three KoM spots, top two young rider spots, 2nd, 3rd and 5th in the points and two stages.

    I'll let you guess who's winning the team competition....
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  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    Photos on their site are highly recommended:
    9786740673_955368ec17_k-682x1024.jpg

    www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?gallery_categories=all

    And anyone who fancies an avatar of them:
    MTN1_zps682679f6.jpg
    MTN2_zps3ef91323.jpg
    MTN3_zps14637db1.jpg
    MTN4_zps330439de.jpg
    MTN5_zpsec52372b.jpg
    Contador is the Greatest
  • gpreeves
    gpreeves Posts: 454
    The final podium from the Mzansi Tour:

    BlB7JOFIEAA7_R_.jpg

    Report here:

    http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?news=jacques-janse-van-rensburg-wins-the-mzansi-tour

    Apparently Trentino and LBL are next on their European calendar.
  • No_Ta_Doctor
    No_Ta_Doctor Posts: 14,697
    Trentino was a great success, Mentjes took 2nd place in the final stage to claim 5th on GC and win the young riders comp. He had a 9th place on the stage before as well.

    LBL saw Jaco Venter in the break all day long.

    Now we're onto the Tour of Turkey, so keep an eye out for Merhawi Kudus on the climbs.
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  • tailwindhome
    tailwindhome Posts: 19,464
    tumblr_n4ytblTobb1r8h4ixo1_1280.jpg
    “New York has the haircuts, London has the trousers, but Belfast has the reason!
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    Kudus interview:
    http://vimeo.com/93513224
    He crashed on the rainy stage so was hurting on the stage Yates won, hence why he was not in the mix.
    Contador is the Greatest
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    Kudus crashed on the final stage of the Tour of Turkey and broke his collarbone, making that the 5th one for the team this year. He was due to ride this Tour of Az...
    Contador is the Greatest
  • dish_dash
    dish_dash Posts: 5,647
    Interesting developments... wonder what 2015 will be like for them.
    Team MTN-Qhubeka has announced today the appointment of Brian Smith as interim General Manager until the end of the year, with immediate effect. With the recent addition of several sponsors and the continued growth of the organization, Brian is charged with preparing the team for the 2015 season, including the selection and hiring of several marquee riders, staff & management and expanding the team’s infrastructure. During his engagement, he will also be part of the process to appoint a full-time General Manager before the end of the year.

    Brian has worked with Gerard Vroomen during the setup of the Cervelo TestTeam and also fulfilled this role for Team Endura in the past. Brian’s knowledge of riders and his experience in professional cycling as well as his involvement in several teams will assist Team MTN-Qhubeka to continue on its path towards the top-tier of professional cycling.

    “Brian and I have known each other nearly 20 years, since we were team mates in the late 90′s racing in the USA. He often calls me to give advice and suggestions. He has a huge love and passion for cycling and enjoys the uniqueness of our team, with some young South African and African riders teaming up with international pros in support for the Qhubeka Foundation. With a big focus on La Vuelta a Espana in the next month it is fantastic to bring Brian into the team to look towards 2015 and getting the team fully prepared,” stated Team Principal Douglas Ryder

    “It feels good to be back working with some good friends. Dougie is probably as passionate about cycling as i am and it feels right to be working alongside him again. Gerard and myself have worked together well in the past. Its now a few years down the line and we are both older and wiser. Getting Africa on bikes is a great cause and i hope to help take this message to a global audience by gaining invitations to all the top events. I am looking forward to the challenges ahead and working with two of the best guys in cycling,” added Brian Smith
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,634
    Excellent, it would be great if they could eventually get Pro Tour status.
  • takethehighroad
    takethehighroad Posts: 6,823
    Hopefully we get some exclusive scoops on here as well eh, Bri?
  • No_Ta_Doctor
    No_Ta_Doctor Posts: 14,697
    It looks like they're very ambitious. They've also switched from Trek to Cervelo for next season.

    Good luck Brian, and keep us in the loop ;-)
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  • ContrelaMontre
    ContrelaMontre Posts: 3,027
    Get your MTN-Qhubeka kit on Sport Pursuit - http://www.sportpursuit.com/sales/castelli-aug14
    Rule No.10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster
  • No_Ta_Doctor
    No_Ta_Doctor Posts: 14,697
    Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung La Vuelta a Espana Lineup
    Sergio Pardilla
    Gerald Ciolek
    Louis Meintjes
    Jay Thomson
    Jaco Venter
    Jacques Janse van Rensburg
    Daniel Teklehaimanot
    Merhawi Kudus
    Kristian Sbaragli
    Reserve: Ignatas Konovalovas

    http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?news=4620
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  • ContrelaMontre
    ContrelaMontre Posts: 3,027
    No tA Doctor wrote:
    Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung La Vuelta a Espana Lineup
    Sergio Pardilla
    Gerald Ciolek
    Louis Meintjes
    Jay Thomson
    Jaco Venter
    Jacques Janse van Rensburg
    Daniel Teklehaimanot
    Merhawi Kudus
    Kristian Sbaragli
    Reserve: Ignatas Konovalovas

    http://www.teammtnqhubeka.com/?news=4620

    Quite a few people (well twitter users) surprised about the omission of Linus Gerdemann.

    But I'm guessing that means we'll get to see him at the Tour Of Britain. Here's hoping
    Rule No.10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster
  • No_Ta_Doctor
    No_Ta_Doctor Posts: 14,697
    Found! Thanks to Google, not the BR Forum search function (more accurately known as the BR forum lost forever function). This seems to be a good time to resurrect :-)

    So it's been a year, Qhubeka rode the Vuelta, got an invite for the tour, took overall at Langkwai and the Coppi e Bartali, took the polkadots in the Dauphine and now wear the spots in the Tour.



    Fanbloodytastic :-)
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