Thanks to a wild card, MTN Qhubeka will ride in the Tour de France next month. This team has selected five African riders in its nine-man team for the July 4-26 event, including two Eritreans: Daniel Teklehaimanot and Merhawi Kudus. Isaias Afwerki, the President of Eritrea has given his backing to the first two cyclists from his country to ride in the three-week race.

"The unprecedented achievement of the cyclists attests to the high technical level that cycling has reached in the country," Isaias said, according to state media. "The participation of Eritrea’s top cyclists in international races of high reputation will inspire the youth who see these successful cyclists as role models."

United Nations published a report earlier this month about this country. According to this publication, 5000 people flee each month from the isolated Red Sea state.

Four of the five African MTN Qhubeka riders took part in the Tour de France warm up race, the Critérium du Dauphiné, where Teklehaimanot won the polka-dot climber’s

jersey. There are also three South Africans in the team, Jacques and Reinardt Janse van Rensburg and national champion.