With the change of the year, the transformation of MTN-Qhubeka into Team Dimension Data is now complete. On Monday, the team released details of its new kit and confirmed its roster of riders for 2016.
The South African WorldTour team will maintain its strong link to World Bicycle Relief charity Qhubeka with its official name of Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka.
Contrary to previous reports, the team's kit is black with white text and green highlights. A 'leaked' image of a white Dimension Data jersey appeared on the UCI website at the end of 2015, but this appears to have been incorrect.
The team consists of 28 riders, 13 of which hail from the African continent and with a total of 15 nationalities represented. British sprinter Mark Cavendish and Irishman Matt Brammeier are among them.
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The team found success at the 2015 Tour de France, paying back its wildcard entry with a stage win from Brit Steve Cummings and a popular spell in the mountains jersey for Eritrean Daniel Teklehaimanot. Thanks to it WorldTour status, the squad will have automatic entry to all the big races in 2016.
Led by Cavendish, the squad will have a strong presence in bunch sprints, with Theo Bos, Tyler Farrar, Mark Renshaw and Edvald Boasson Hagen providing firepower. The recent signing of Spanish climber Igor Antón will give the squad options in mountain stages.
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Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka team principal Douglas Ryder said: "2016 becomes our biggest step up in our team’s existence, the first division or WorldTour in cycling requires depth and consistency and I am confident that our riders and staff are ready for this incredible challenge.
"Most importantly we have been fortunate to receive support from the most incredible partners in so many areas and on so many levels on and off the bike. Our partners will help this team move forward successfully and ensure that the Qhubeka Charity remains at the forefront of everything we do as we continue to accelerate the ambitions of African cycling and make an impact that matters in the communities."
The 2016 WorldTour kicks off on January 19 with the start of the Tour Down Under in Australia, the first event that Team Dimension Data will take part in as a WorldTour team having stepped up from Professional Continental level. The team will ride Cervélo bikes.
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Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka 2016 roster
Igor Anton (ESP)
Natnael Berhane (ERI)
Edvald Boasson Hagen (NOR)
Theo Bos (NED)
Matthew Brammeier (IRL)
Mark Cavendish (GBR)
Stephen Cummings (GBR)
Mekseb Debesay (ERI)
Nicolas Dougall (RSA)
Bernhard Eisel (AUT)
Tyler Farrar (USA)
Omar Fraile (ESP)
Nathan Haas (AUS)
Jacques Janse van Rensburg (RSA)
Reinardt Janse van Rensburg (RSA)
Songezo Jim (RSA)
Merhawi Kudus (ERI)
Cameron Meyer (AUS)
Adrien Niyonshuti (RWA)
Serge Pauwels (BEL)
Youcef Reguigui (ALG)
Mark Renshaw (AUS)
Kristian Sbaragli (ITA)
Kanstantsin Siutsou (BLR)
Daniel Teklehaimanot (ERI)
Jay Thomson (RSA)
Johann van Zyl (RSA)
Jaco Venter (RSA)
