African cycling took perhaps its biggest of big steps forward yesterday when it was confirmed that Team Dimension Data – formerly known as MTN-Qhubeka – had been granted an all areas pass to the top echelon of international cycling in the form of a World Tour licence.
The licence ensures the team will be riding in the Tour de France in 2016, as well as the other two Grand Tours – the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a Espana – and all of the other top races on the world calendar. It is yet another historic milestone for the team. They are the first World Tour team registered in Africa, the 18th and final squad allowed the status for the next few years.
It’s been a tense few days for Doug Ryder, the team principal, but yesterday, after he had been told his team had been the first from the African continent to be granted entry into the highest level of professional cycling, he relaxed and celebrated for a spell.
“This is incredible, I am so happy for this team, our partners and all the staff and riders that have worked so hard over the years to keep building this team to push beyond the boundaries and believe that anything is possible,” said Ryder in a statement. “To get this news on our training camp in Cape Town as we are bonding with our new team for the future is simply the best motivation to move forward into 2016.”
Ryder had a dream to take an African team to the Tour de France just under a decade ago, a dream many scoffed at. He stuck to his ideals, pushed his sponsors, most notably MTN, who withdrew after their finest moment at the Tour de France this year, and built up a squad that just may be the best in the world. He brought in riders some thought had had their best years behind them, like Gerald Ciolek, the German who then won the Milan-SanRemo, the grandest of one-day Italian races. He employed the well-connected Scot Brian Smith, who brought on board many more talented, big-name riders whose careers had stalled and were looking for new challenges. And at the same time included riders from Africa. The Africans and the big names rose to the challenge.
This year, Daniel Teklehaimanot of Eritrea became the first African to wear a major jersey at a Grand Tour. Then Steve Cummings won a stage on Mandela Day. A stage win at the Vuelta a Espana followed, and a top 10 placing by South African Louis Meintjes, who has moved to Italian team Lampre-Merida for 2016-2017. At the end of the year, Mark Cavendish, the British superstar, signed for the team. It seemed scarcely believable. It has, said Smith, been a year of miracles and wonders, but also one where Africa stood tall.
“People ask me if this is really an African team,” said Smith. “I don’t get the question. This team is African. We have the continent’s strongest riders on this team. Daniel is a hero back home for what he did during the Tour de France; we are sponsored by a South African company; we are registered in Africa. We are something different, African and international. We all believe in what we are here to do. That’s why I got in when Doug called; putting kids on bikes and making a difference. That’s what this team is about.”