No system has ever created more opportunity for African riders to compete at the highest level of pro cycling
Cor Vos
With a history spanning two decades, Team Qhubeka transformed African cycling before its demise at the end of 2021. Known as “Africa’s team,” the organisation paved the way for 31 African riders to turn professional in the men’s peloton, either through the Qhubeka team itself or elsewhere.
The team had its beginnings at the turn of the century. Initially known as Team IBM-Lotus Development and then Microsoft, it took on its more well-known MTN sponsorship in 2007, adding the African bicycle charity Qhubeka in 2011 to become known as MTN-Qhubeka just as the team began racing more in Europe. MTN-Qhubeka became a professional team in 2013, the same year in which German rider Gerald Ciolek won the team’s sole Monument at a snowy, chaotic edition of Milan-San Remo.
Managed by South African Doug Ryder, who raced for the team in its early days, the team went on for another eight years, winning multiple stages of the Tour de France through the likes of Mark Cavendish and Steve Cummings. Qhubeka folded at the end of 2021 after its second named sponsor, NextHash, a crypto and blockchain company, failed to make good on its payments after signing a five-year contract. Ryder was unable to find alternative support for the team and closed the doors. Ryder took a year to bring on board new sponsorship before launching a brand new team, now known as Pinarello-Q36.5 and backed by billionaire Ivan Glasenberg, in 2023.
Seven emerging African talents you should know about
For years we’ve been told about the continent’s talent pool. Here are seven riders with the ability to break through – if they get the opportunity and support they need.
Despite its sorry end, Qhubeka fundamentally transformed African cycling. The team created a viable pathway for riders from Africa to compete at the highest level. Even today, five of the nine African riders currently in professional teams can credit Qhubeka in some way with helping them on their journey. As the team became more professional, focused on retaining its WorldTour spot and looked to bring in more cash, the focus on African riders lessened, attracting criticism from members of the African cycling community. However, Ryder and Qhubeka’s legacy is undeniable.
Five years on from Qhubeka’s goodbye, many members of its African alumni are still involved in the sport, while others have moved on. Here’s a look at what some of the team’s biggest names have gone on to do.
Louis Meintjes is Africa’s most successful Grand Tour rider in history.Louis Meintjes
No African rider has taken part in more Grand Tours than diminutive climber Louis Meintjes. Before his retirement at Il Lombardia last season, the South African raced a total of 20 three-weekers, finishing in the top-10 of the Tour de France three times and winning a stage of the Vuelta a España in 2022.
This post is for paying subscribers only
Subscribe now
Already have an account? Sign in
Did we do a good job with this story?
👍Yep
👎Nope