Cycling: Quite surprisingly, Team Dimension Data (formerly MTN-Qhubeka) from the training camp in South Africa announced yesterday evening that the former second division team will be riding with a WorldTour license from next season. The African team had originally applied for ProContinental status, but well-known transfers such as Mark Cavendish, the new sponsor Dimension Data and good discussions with the UCI now made it possible to jump into the WorldTour.
This year there were only 17 out of a maximum of 18 WorldTour teams after Europcar failed to obtain the license and the UCI failed to find replacements at short notice. In the coming season there will again be the maximum possible number of teams in the highest license class. Team Dimension Data fills the void left by Europcar. "It's incredible, I'm so happy for this team, for the partners, staff and of course the riders who all worked so hard, moved mountains and always believed in the opportunity." said team boss Doug Ryder.
In recent months, the South African team has repeatedly been in the headlines: Among other things, through the new financially strong sponsor and namesake Dimension Data or through the quite spectacular signing of sprint legend Mark Cavendish from Etixx-QuickStep. In July, the team also made history by becoming the first African team to compete in the Tour de France.
The awarding of the WorldTour license is another entry in the still young history books of the likeable racing team. “From now on, Africa will have a team that is among the very best in the world. We always had hopes of one day riding in the WorldTour, but the joy of today's news was almost limitless for the team, our partners and our fans." it says in the accompanying press release.
The 18 WorldTour teams for the 2016 season have also been determined:
AG2R La Mondiale
Team Astana
BMC Racing Team
Cannondale Pro Cycling Team
Dimension Data
Etixx QuickStep
FDJ
AMI Cycling
Lampre Merida
Lotto Soudal
Movistar Team
Orica GreenEdge
Team Giant Alpecin
Team Katusha
Team Lotto NL Jumbo
TeamSky
Tinkoff
Trek Factory Racing