Following his exceptional debut with MTN-Qhubeka in the Tour de Langkawi where he finished 2nd overall, 20-year-old climber Merhawi Kudus will make his European debut when he lines up in today's GP Nobili Rubinetterie. He will be part of an exciting young team of climbers that also includes U23 worlds silver medallist and current South African champion Louis Meintjes.

Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung will have an exciting young team line up at the GP Nobili later today. South African champion, Louis Meintjes, will head up the squad that takes on the Italian one day race. With hopes of a decent result certainly feasible as the younger riders will be able to count on the guidance from John-Lee Augustyn throughout the race.

Meintjes and Augustyn will also be joined by Merhawi Kudus today. The 20 year old Eritrean is coming fresh off a 2nd place GC result at the Tour de Langkawi. Both Meintjes and Kudus will also be on the start line for Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung at the Milano-Sanremo this weekend. Their inclusion in the La Primavera has certainly given the two talented Africans a motivational boost and the team is hoping this will be seen in their performance today.

Tsgabu Grmay, Dennis van Niekerk, Jacques Janse van Rensburg, Adrien Niyonshuti and Ferekalsi Debesay make up the rest of the team for the GP Nobili.

The 187km route should provide for an entertaining spectacle. The two ascents of the Masino Visconti climb, which forms part of today’s route, will certainly suit the young climbers from Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung. The summits of the climb will come at the 133km and 158km markers, leaving the race wide open to have a multiple of scenarios playing out.

GP Nobili (Italy) – (20 March/UCI 1.1)

Louis Meintjes (RSA)
Merhawi Kudus (ERI)
Tsgabu Grmay (ETH)
John-Lee Augustyn (RSA)
Dennis van Niekerk (RSA)
Jacques Janse van Rensburg (RSA)
Adrien Niyonshuti (RWA)
Ferekalsi Debesay (ERI)