The news that Rolf Aldag will leave Etixx-Quic Step to join MTN-Qhubeka (which will be known as Dimension Data from 2016) surprised the cycling world yesterday. Radsport-news.com spoke exclusively with the sports director who has played a big role in helping Tony Martin and Mark Cavendishjoining the world elite and organized the transformation of the former T-Mobile team into High Road and later Columbia.

“An exciting job is awaiting me,” he told the German website. “I also have a personal connection to South Africa because I have a house there and my family lives there four months a year. I also like the charity project of Qhubeka which is about providing schoolchildren with bies. You have to consider that the average distance to school in South Africa is 6.4 km. If the children have to walk, they will start one year later than if they have access to a bike.

“My house is in a fishing village near Cape Town. My daughter Maddie – she is nine years old – wants to learn English so she already had the desire to go to school there last year.”

“Since the new sponsor Dimension Data was announced, we have had talks. I'm glad Etixx respected my request and released me.

"Until now, many things have been done in the right way – that is proved y the successful season. I want to help to create long-term structures.”

Dimension Data is currently a pro continental team but may be promoted to the WorldTour if the UCI asks them to take the vacant spot at the elite level. However, nothing is certain yet.

“There has been no decision,” Aldag said. “But Dimension Data is a global company that wants to advertise throughout the world. It is not convenient if you have to hope wildcards for the big races.

A big issue is the fact that Aldag will leave Tony Martin with whom he has been working closely.

"We are now competitors, but for the Olympic Games, nothing is excluded. We have to talk about that,” Aldag said, opening the door for a possible future cooperation with his compatriot.