In its inaugural season as Professional Continental team, MTN-Qhubeka has set a number of landmarks. Now they debut in their first racing commitment on Swiss soil.

The first African professional cycling team has turned heads already, with good results both out of and in Europe, with the indisputable highlight being Gerald Ciolek’s victory in a snow-marred Milano-San Remo.

Tomorrow, on the 6th of June, the team will race at the 181 km, GP Kanton Aargau (category 1.1), marking the first time they take the start in a Swiss race. A mix of European and African riders has been selected for the occasion.

“If I am right, we have another first as this will be Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung’s first time in Switzerland,” said sports director Jens Zemke. “The GP Gippingen is a tough race and the organizer is proud to have the Milan-San Remo winner at the start. Like always we want to achieve something. With Sergio we will have a guy for a good result and I am sure that all of our guys want to make a good impression.”

Team MTN-Qhubeka line-up for the GP Kanton Aargau: Gerald Ciolek (GER), Ignatas Konovalovas (LTU), Jay Thomson (RSA), Jacques Janse van Rensburg (RSA), Kristian Sbaragli (ITA), Martin Wesemann (RSA), Sergio Pardilla (ESP).