According to sports director, Jens Zemke, the event presents a unique opportunity to perform in front of ASO, organisers of the Tour de France.

“World Ports Classic will be another ASO race for us. We will take our chance and race for our future plans as we look to get to the Grand Tours. ASO is the biggest race organiser and we want to show that our African team is able to compete with the best teams in the world. We will show up with a good mixture of aggressive riders from Africa and experienced Europeans,” Zemke said.

The race takes place in Holland and Belgium. The two-stage race will cover a total distance of 356 kilometres.“We are well prepared for the windy coastal region and the cobble sections,” added Zemke. 

The line up is made up of the bulk of the team from Vattenfall Cyclassics but Bradley Potgieter and Martin Wesemann will join the roster. Youcef Reguigui became the first Algerian to race a WorldTour event in Vattenfall Cyclassics and has now set his sights on his next race.

“It’s also a big race and we have a strong team there so I think it will be a good race," he said.

MTN-Qhubeka for World Ports Classic

Andreas Stauff (GER), Bradley Potgieter (RSA), Gerald Ciolek (GER), Jay Thomson (RSA), Martin Wesemann (RSA), Jaco Venter (RSA), Ignatas Konovalovas (LTU), Youcef Reguigui (ALG)