Tomorrow Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka start the UCI 2.1 Tour de Slovenia. It will be the first time the African Team participates in this 4 stage event and we will have a strong team ready to race for victory each day.

The Tour de Slovenia is the race of choice for Mark Cavendish ahead of the upcoming National Championships and Tour de France. Cavendish will be joined in Slovenia by Bernhard Eisel, Mark Renshaw, Kristian Sbaragli, Omar Fraile, Jaco Venter and Nic Dougall.

Slovenia offers 3 road stages, the first and fourth stage are where the sprinters will look to take the spoils. Stage 2 finishes with the category 1 climb to Golte and if the general classification isn't decided on this stage, then stage 3 is a hilly 16.8km time trial stage where the favourites will certainly leave their mark.

Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka will have Cavendish and Sbaragli for the fast finishes while Omar Fraile gives the African Team a good option for the mountain stage as well as the individual time trial. Renshaw, Eisel and Venter will be 3 of the strongest support riders in the peloton while Dougall, who is a powerhouse in his own right, uses Slovenia as part of his return to racing after an Achilies injury.

Sports director Alex Sans Vega said:

"We have a mixed group at Slovenia. Some guys will use this as their last preparation race for the Tour de France. Other guys like Kristian and Jaco came from the Giro. Considering these two factors, we have a team that is in very good shape and we will target some good results, especially stage wins.

"We have a good team to support Cav for the faster sprints and also Kristian if it is a bit harder and there is a selected group of sprinters. There is also a very difficult 16km time trial, flat until halfway and then uphill for the final half and also, a stage Omar Fraile can target a good result. We are really looking forward to the event, it is only a 4-day race but we have to get the most out of those 4 days for the team."