Cycling South Africa extends congratulations to Team MTN-Qhubeka on the news of their entry into the 2015 Tour de France by wild card invitation. The Cycling SA Executive and Management Committees are abuzz with excitement and a great sense of pride on hearing the news. It continues to show the upward trajectory of cycling in Africa, and South Africa.
Cycling SA President, William Newman, said: “I am sure I speak on behalf of the whole nation in saying how proud we are of Doug Ryder and Team MTN-Qhubeka on receiving the wild card invitation into the world’s premier stage race. This is a massive achievement for cycling, not only in our country but for the continent as well. We wish his team great success in the lead up to, and during the ’Tour. They have the support of the whole cycling fraternity and the nation on achieving this historic milestone.”
When asked how he feels right now, Team MTN-Qhubeka team principal Doug Ryder responded: “It’s incredible. When Christian Prudhomme (Tour de France General Director) sends me an SMS to welcome me to the Tour de France… it’s crazy! I always wondered how I would feel to hear the news, and it is simply indescribable. We have worked so hard; so many people have worked so hard. It’s really incredible. The love for South African cycling on the social networks is just so evident. We live in a sports mad country and it feels great to see that so many people wanted the team to be in the race. This goes back to Daryl’s (Impey) success two years ago. SA has this desperate need to create sporting heroes, and to get the love for the team and something different and new really is an incredible feeling.”
