Having three German riders and a German DS, this was an important race in the team’s calendar, and Team MTN-Qhubeka enjoyed success at the 2.HC-ranked Bayern-Rundfahrt, putting a rider in the top-10 on every stage and winning the third stage with Gerald Ciolek.

“Unfortunately our hope for a stage win didn't work out today but with one stage win and the top ten ranking overall, we have reached our goals,” said Ciolek after the last stage on Sunday. “We can be satisfied with our team’s appearance at the only remaining German stage race. We rode for the win in every stage.”

“Gerald and the guys once again presented the Qhubeka project to German sports fans in a great way,” said directeur sportif Jens Zemke. “There is a lot of potential in this team and in African cycling. There is still a lot of work to do and we can't rest on our laurels.”

“For Ignatas that was a very good result after a long injury which kept him off the bike. We are very happy that he is coming back to good form,” Zemke was happy about Ignatas Konovalovas 10th place in Friday's ITT.

Speaking of Ciolek’s victory on stage 3, team principal Douglas Ryder said: “Gerald has once again proven the calibre of rider he is. He proved that Milan Sanremo was not a one-off. This is his third victory of the season and the team’s fifth. We have a large contingency of German staff on our team and this race was a big focus for us to spread the Qhubeka message here.”

The Qhubeka project aims to help rural South African communities move forward by handing out bicycles to children, many of whom previously had to walk to school before, in return for work done to improve their environment and their community, mostly by growing trees.