Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung will venture onto Australian soil for the first time in almost 4 years when they take to the the start of both the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and the Herald Sun Tour. The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race is a UCI 1.1 event that takes place on the 1st of February. The UCI 2.1 Herald Sun Tour spans over 5 days from the 4th – 8th February.

The last time the African team competed in Australia was back in 2011, when they took part in the Herald Sun Tour as a continental team. It was a successful outing as Reinardt Janse van Rensburg took out a stage win after out sprinting the likes of Baden Cooke and Steele van Hoff on stage 2. The South African would go on to finish 4th on the GC that year.

This year around, Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung will send a strong team down under with the hope of picking up some early victories. Matthew Goss and Tyler Farrar will headline the team for both events and the two fast man will be supported by Nic Dougall, Songezo Jim, Serge Pauwels and Matthew Brammeier.

“We will come to Australia with a well balanced team, captained by Matt Goss," Jens Zemke, Performance Manager, said. "He’s our local hero and will be supported by Tyler Farrar, who is going to be with him until the end of the race. Serge Pauwels will put his experience to work. He will be in a supportive role, as will our African rider Songezo Jim and our latest recruit, Matt Brammeier. The team's youngster Nic Dougall is half Australian and is very much looking forward to ride in Australia. Our riders will be very motivated to show of our new race kit for the first time and if the race comes down to a sprint finish, we can expect a good result from Gossy.”

“I know a bit about the Cadel Evans race course having trained on the roads around the region and having raced the world championships in Geelong in 2010," Goss said. "It’s going to be tough to say exactly where the race will be won and lost but the three finishing circuits are going to make for a tough finish. As for the Sun Tour, we will take our chances as they come. It’s just great to finally get the racing season underway now.”