Late on Wednesday afternoon the organisers of the Paris-Roubaix announced the 8 wildcards for the Paris-Roubaix. Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung are delighted to have got the nod for the most iconic of Spring Classics. Along with the 7 Pro Continental wild cards, Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung look forward to lining up with the 17 World Tour teams come the 12th of April.

The Paris-Roubaix also has a special place in the hearts of all African cycling fans as for many years, it was only the Tour de France and Paris-Roubaix cycling events that were broadcast live in Africa. Aspiring African cyclists either grew up dreaming of racing Le Tour or "The Hell of the North". The team are delighted that their fans will now, for the first time, be able to cheer on an African team during the Paris-Roubaix.

While an invitation to the race is a small victory in itself for the team, MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung head to the Paris-Roubaix with intentions of a podium placing. In Edvald Boasson Hagen, the African team have a rider capable of riding to victory on the Roubaix velodrome. The Norwegian has penned in Paris-Roubaix as his main goal for the season.

"I am speechless again which does not happen often, Paris Roubaix is the Queen of the Classics," team principal Douglas Ryde said. "It is like an action movie that builds up and calms down and builds again with huge drama where the super heroes can change around any corner. It will be another iconic experience for our team and we cannot wait to experience the 113th edition."

"I am happy we are in the race, the goal now is to do as well as possible and hopefully do better than I have done before. My goal generally, is to win Roubaix during my career so hopefully it comes this year," Boasson Hagen said.

"I have done the race twice, once was really good and once was not so good," Theo Bos said. "2010 was really nice, I worked for Thor Hushovd. He had a great result where he finished 2nd and I played a small part in that which was nice. I also finished in the top 60 myself. The next year I rode with Rabobank and that didn't go so well. I didn't have the power or legs to be in the front and I didn't finish.

"I am looking forward to redeeming myself a bit after that race. I have good memories with the Cervélo and the equipment which works really well at Roubaix. Also, it will be another really strong Norwegian that we will ride in support of so I am glad that we are officially part of the race now."