Seven Africans and a Brit on MTN-Qhubeka's Tour de France squad shortlist
Steve Cummings is among 11 riders named in MTN-Qhubeka's Tour de France squad, which will be whittled down to nine before July 4

Steve Cummings could make his first Tour de France start since 2012 after being named in MTN-Qhubeka's 11-man shortlist for their Grand Boucle debut.
The Brit has enjoyed a prosperous start to his time with the African outfit, winning one of the Mallorca Challenges in February before a pair of sixth-place finishes at Tirreno-Adriatico and Circuit Cycliste Sarthe.
MTN-Qhubeka were awarded a wildcard place into the Tour this year and will showcase their African talent, with seven of the 11 riders in their squad hailing from the continent.
Natnael Berhane, Merhawi Kudus and Daniel Teklehaimanot fly the flag for Eritrea, Jacques and Reinhart Janse van Rensburg represent South Africa along with Louis Meintjes, while Youcef Reguigui hails from Algeria.
Team principal Doug Ryder said: "The realisation of the dream of taking an African registered team to the ultimate annual cycling event Le Tour de France is upon us and around the corner.
"The squad selected is perfect for the event this year consisting of specialist climbers, classics type riders, time trial lists and riders that can spend hours riding in the breakaways going for stage wins.
"All 23 riders and all staff in the team have worked incredibly hard to get this amazing squad of riders ready for our biggest challenge ever."
MTN-Qhubeka Tour de France squad
Edvald Boasson Hagen [Norway]
Natnael Berhane [Eritrea]
Steve Cummings [Great Britain]
Tyler Farrar [USA]
Jacques Janse van Rensburg [South Africa]
Reinart Janse van Rensburg [South Africa]
Merhawi Kudus [Eritrea]
Louis Meintjes [South Africa]
Serge Pauwels [Belgium]
Youcef Reguigui [Algeria]
Daniel Teklehaimanot [Eritrea]
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
-
Same teams, new faces: Murphy, Langley crowned US national road racing champions
Full team effort from Human Powered Health rewarded with national title for Kyle Murphy; Emma Langley (EF Education-Tibco SVB) drops breakaway companion for her Stars & Stripes jersey
By Clara Beard • Published
-
'Can you imagine winning a 35th Tour de France stage in the British champion's jersey?' asks Mark Cavendish, admitting Tour ride is 'unlikely'
The Manx Missile said 'I'm good enough to do the Tour'
By Michelle Arthurs-Brennan • Published
-
Retired British pro Steve Cummings joins Ineos Grenadiers as sports director
Retired British pro Steve Cummings is joining Ineos Grenadiers as a sports director.
By Alex Ballinger • Published
-
NTT Pro Cycling announce new headline sponsors
NTT Pro Cycling has announced its new headline sponsors, bringing an end to the uncertainty around their future.
By Alex Ballinger • Published
-
Bjarne Riis leaves NTT Pro Cycling after just one year as manager
Bjarne Riis is leaving NTT Pro Cycling after just one season as team manager.
By Alex Ballinger • Published
-
NTT Pro Cycling boss Bjarne Riis says ‘time is running out, it’s not looking good'
The fate of NTT Pro Cycling still looks bleak, as the team’s boss says there is still no new sponsor lined up.
By Alex Ballinger • Published
-
NTT Pro Cycling left searching for new sponsor as NTT pulls out
NTT Pro Cycling is facing an uncertain future as headline sponsor NTT has pulled out of the team.
By Alex Ballinger • Published
-
Bjarne Riis 'confident' NTT will continue into 2021 season
The Dane is aiming for stage wins at the Tour de France to try and attract new sponsors
By Jonny Long • Published
-
Giacomo Nizzolo wins European Championships road race in dramatic sprint finish
Nizzolo beat Arnaud Démare and Pascal Ackermann to become the 2020 European champion
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
Victor Campenaerts is sleeping at 4,700m in altitude tent ‘to feel like a rider who took EPO’
Time trial star Victor Campenaerts has revealed he is sleeping at 4,700 metres in an altitude tent, so he can “feel like a rider who took EPO.”
By Alex Ballinger • Published