Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung will head to the final of the spring classics this weekend as they take on the Liege-Bastogne-Liege. The 253km monument will be a stern test for our team but one in which we hope our young African stars will shine in.
While last year may have seen a 4 rider sprint off for the victory, La Doyenne is the classic which suits the pure climbers more than any of the others. The longer climbs at lower gradients, than the 20% roads we have seen in recent weeks, see a number of Grand Tour contenders lining up at Liege-Bastogne-Liege each year. It is no wonder Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung’s young African climbers are looking forward to Sunday’s challenge.
At last year’s edition of the race, Louis Meintjes had done well to make it to the business end of the race only to have a crash hold him up, leaving us all wondering what the young African champion was truly capable of. This year Louis returns to the race in which he one day hopes to win with a strong team of riders around him.
South African champion Jacques Janse van Rensburg and Daniel Teklehaimanot were also part of last year’s team that raced Liege-Bastogne-Liege, both riders start on Sunday again. Merhawi Kudus will also get his first crack at the race this year. Completing our roster will be Steve Cummings, Matt Brammeier, Andy Stauff and Johann van Zyl.
African fans will be able to watch the Liege-Bastogne-Liege live on SuperSport SS5 from 14:00.
Jens Zemke – Head of Performance
La Doyenne, the 101st edition is a great opportunity for our climbers. We will change the composition of our team by 5 spots from who started at Fleche Wallonne with half the team for Sunday coming directly from Giro del Trentino. The 253km distance is a very tough challenge for our young boys but we will show that riders from the African continent are able to compete at the highest level of cycling.
