MTN-Qhubeka team principle Doug Ryder should have been basking in the joy of a goal accomplished as Daniel Teklehaimanot prepared himself for his first day in the Tour de France's polka-dot jersey. Instead, he found himself surrounded by journalists talking about Teklehaimanot's compatriot Natnael Berhane, who had been the target of racial abuse during the Tour of Austria.
It had been a great day for the team with Teklehaimanot talking the mountains classification at the Tour and Johan Van Zyl claiming his first professional victory at the Tour of Austria. However, during stage, Branislau Samoilau (CCC Sprandi Polkowice) reportedly called Berhane and "f**ing n***er."
"Racism and saying what was said, that's unacceptable. We have no tolerance for that at all," Ryder told the press. "Hopefully, it's an isolated thing. A guy was silly, he's said something but it's good that the team has taken a stance against it and he's realised his mistake."
According to Ryder, Berhane, who is currently fourth in the overall classification in Austria, requested that Samoilau not be thrown out of the race. The CCC rider has been fined a month's wages, which will be given directly to the Qhubeka charity that lends its name to the team and who raises money to give Africans bicycles.
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"Natnael was incredibly upset at the time, because it's a terrible thing. They had a discussion, the team came and apologised, the rider came and apologised," explained Ryder. "Natnael has forgiven the guy. The UCI wanted to kick him out of the race, but Natnael said no it's ok."
Ryder did add, though, that his riders had been subjected to bullying in the peloton at other races with several being told that they belonged at the back of the bunch, but the team principle tried to insist that it wasn't just his team that had been picked on.
MTN-Qhubeka are the first African team to be registered at Pro Continental level and are currently making their Tour de France debut. The team is made up of a mixture of experienced European riders, and young, up and coming Africans. Teklehaimanot and fellow Eritrean Merhawi Kudus are making history as the first black Africans to participate in the Tour.
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