While one MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung team takes on the Ronde van Vlaanderen on Sunday 5 April, another will be starting the French UCI 1.1 Paris-Camembert as well.
 

The 200km route is an interesting one with 9 categorised climbs coming in the final 90km of the race. None are particularly long, in fact most are only around a kilometer in length but the steep gradients will be the challenge, much like the Hellingens in Belgium.

History suggests a strong sprinter who is able to get over the climbs could triumph on Sunday. One thing is certain though, it won’t be a big bunch coming to the line but rather a small selection is most likely. MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung have selected a competitive team with the in-form Kristian Sbaragli leading the charge for the African team. Joining Sbaragli will be Louis Meintjes, Jacques Janse van Rensburg, Johann van Zyl, Merhawi Kudus, Natnael Berhane, Adrien Niyonshuti and Serge Pauwels.

Sbaragli and Meintjes allow the African team to enter the event with two possible race winners while the majority of the African riders will certainly look to fine tune their form before taking on next week’s Circuit Cycliste Sarthe.

"With a well balanced team we are ready for our first visit to this traditional race. We bring with us last week’s winner of Coppi Bartali, Louis Meintjes and our fast sprinter, Kristian Sbaragli to the race and so we want a podium spot on Sunday. The race is mostly dominated by French riders but we want to be visible and show our ambitions on French terrain," sports director Jens Zemke said.