In 2017, Louis Meintjes will again make a bid for the white jersey at the Tour de France.  The 24-year-old South African who rides for Lampre-Merida – which is known as TJ Sport and will ride under a Chinese license – finished in second place behind Adam Yates in 2016.

Meintjes looks back on the 2016 season with a good feeling. 

"I think it has been a good year. I really enjoyed it. Obviously the results weren’t bad. You always wish it could be more, it would be nice to win a race one day. But in general if I look back, going to a new team, learning the new culture, learning a lot of Italian – I am happy with how it went,” he said in an interview with Cycling Tips . 

The Tour - where he finished eighth last year - is again his main goal. The road towards La Grande Boucle will not change much. 

”I think it will most likely be the same,” he said. “I am getting ready to start in Australia at the Tour Down Under. I think there might be one or two changes, but it will be 90 percent the same programme as this year.

” I’m focussing on just getting results. If I can go to the Tour with some good form again, I am pretty sure I can still contest for the white jersey next year. So I will give it a go."

The course suits him less than last year buthe still sees opportunities. 

”Well, from the information available, it doesn’t look like it is quite as good as this year, but it is still something that I can work with,” he said.