Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung will race VDK-Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde from 26 – 28 March. The race is a three day, four stage event and Africa’s first ever UCI Professional Continental team will again be led by Gerald Ciolek. The race will be the German’s first since his Milan-San Remo victory.

“I have been back on the bike since Wednesday so I only took two days off after Milan-San Remo,” Ciolek said. “I recovered pretty quickly, I'd say. I must admit that I didn't celebrate that much either, so I had two relaxing days with my family and friends. Also, I had some really interesting interviews and press meetings.”

Asked if the victory in one of cycling’s Monuments means he will be taking it easy now, he replied, “As always, I try to be in the best possible shape for De Panne. Of course, a victory like MSR provides you with a certain degree of confidence, but then again I know that we should go to the races with the same attitude as before, and don't put too much pressure on the team. At the same time, of course I am not going to sit back in the race,” he said with a smile.

The race features three road stages of 199 km, 208 km and 109 km then will end with an individual time trial over 14.75 km.

Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung line-up for VDK-Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde:

Andreas Stauff (GER), Bradley Potgieter (RSA), Gerald Ciolek (GER), Martin Reimer (GER), Martin Wesemann (RSA), Youcef Reguigui (ALG), Jani Tewelde (ERI)