While a big part of the team is busy at the Vuelta a Espana, another part of MTN-Qhubeka will line up at the Tour of Britain. The team heads into the race with a focus on the GC where Linus Gerdemann hopes to do well.

The 11th Tour of Britain gets underway on Sunday with a 104km road stage and will run over 8 days finishing on the 14th of September. The British race brings back fond memories for Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung as last year they were able to win a stage with Gerald Ciolek, and Sergio Pardilla also finished 6th overall. As the premier race in Britain, the professional peloton holds the event in high regard and a strong field is expected at the start once again this year.

Although Ciolek and Pardilla are on duty at the Vuelta a Espana, Team MTN-Qhubeka will still send a strong team with high expectations to the British UCI 2.HC tour. Linus Gerdemann will lead the 6-rider contingent with hopes of high placing in the general classification. The race will also be a great opportunity for their trainee, Karel Hnik. The young Czech rider was really impressive at the recent Tour du Limousin. Completing the line-up will be Ignatas Konovalovas, Songezo Jim, Dennis van Niekerk and Andreas Stauff.

The race organisers have included a lot more climbs in this years edition of the race, in comparison to previous years. Stage 3 will be particularly important for the GC riders with the race finishing on the category 1 climb named “The Tumble”. The final stage is also interesting is it is made up of 2 half stages, a 8.8km TT in the morning and a 88km circuit race in the afternoon.

"We will certainly be targeting a top GC result with Linus and even Ignas can go well in the GC here at the Tour of Britain," Director Sportif Michel Cornelisse said. "Our trainee has been riding well so maybe he can do something as well. We will take every opportunity that comes our way as this is a great race to be part of."

Tour of Britain (Britain) – (07-14 September/UCI 2.HC) Team Lineup

Linus Gerdemann
Ignatas Konovalovas
Songezo Jim
Dennis van Niekerk
Andreas Stauff
Karel Hnik