Yesterday, it was announced that the new Dimension Data team (currently Team MTN-Qhubeka) have been granted a World Tour licence, and South Africa, Africa and the world celebrated wildly. But for those who don’t follow pro cycling, you might not know what that actually means.
In a nutshell, it’s a big deal. Here’s why:
- The World Tour is the highest level of international cycling. Previously, the team were a Pro Continental team, which is the second division in cycling, meaning they had to rely on wild card entries to the bigger races.
- Having a World Tour licence means the team will automatically ride all three Grand Tours (the Tour de France, Vuelta a Espana and the Giro d’Italia), along with the other races on the World Tour calendar.
- This year only 17 teams in the world were granted a World Tour licence (the full quota is 18). But with MTN-Qhubeka’s performance at the Tour de France and the team’s big signings for 2016, they were in discussions with the UCI to fill the 18th spot.
- The team were duly audited by the Licence Commission, to ensure their finances and structures were in place, and it was announced yesterday that they had secured the 18th spot.
- It is the first time an African team will be represented at the highest level of the sport. A historic moment indeed.
When team principle Doug Ryger received the news, he described it as “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. 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.”
The team also announced it would create and register a Continental team in 2016. This team will be based out of their training centre in Lucca, Italy and will allow the young, up and coming African riders to race a solid European season.
The 18 confirmed WorldTour teams for 2016
- Ag2r La Mondiale
- Astana Pro Team
- BMC Racing Team
- Cannondale Pro Cycling Team
- Dimension Data
- Etixx-QuickStep
- FDJ
- IAM Cycling
- Lampre-Merida
- Lotto Soudal
- Movistar Team
- Orica-GreenEdge
- Team Giant-Alpecin
- Team Katusha
- Team Lotto NL-Jumbo
- Team Sky
- Tinkoff
- Trek Factory Racing
The 19 confirmed Professional Continental teams for 2016
- Androni Giocattoli
- Bora-Argon 18
- Caja Rural-Seguros RGA
- Cofidis, Solutions Credits
- Cult Energy-Stölting Group
- Delko Marseille Provence KTM
- Drapac Professional Cycling
- Fortuneo-Vital Concept
- Funvic Soul Cycles-Carrefour
- Nippo-Vini Fantini
- ONE Pro Cycling
- Roompot Oranje Peloton
- Roth-Skoda
- Rusvelo
- Team Novo Nordisk
- Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise
- UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team
- Verva Activejet Pro Cycling Team
- Wanty-Groupe Gobert
via Bicycling » Tour de France http://ift.tt/1IcGedX
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