Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung will have their 2014 season starting in Africa next week in La Tropicale Amissa Bongo. The race takes place from 13 – 19 January in Gabon and has successfully again attracted some of the biggest teams of the sport.

Team Principal Douglas Ryder is very happy about how the team has planned to start and end their 2014 season. The team will start their season the 13th January in Gabon and end it in Rwanda, also on the African Continent. MTN-Qhubeka is the first registered Pro Continental team from Africa.

“It is fantastic to be able to end our season in Rwanda and start 2014 in Gabon. We are a proudly South African and African team and it is important for Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung to race as much as feasibly possible in African races. Our participation also adds to the profile of the events we participate in in Africa and this year’s Tour of Amissa Bongo has the best field ever for an African race which is wonderful for cycling on the African continent,” Ryder said.

The event will also be a welcomed return to racing for two athletes. John-Lee Augustyn and Linus Gerdemann will make their debut in Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung colours.

John-Lee Augustyn has once again signed a contract with a cycling team after quitting his health problems. After two serious crashes in 2007 and 2008, he didn’t feel any improvement and the former Barloworld and Team Sky rider finished his career.

Linus Gerdemann, who won the 7th stage of Tour de France in 2007, wasn’t able to sign a contract with a team last year and has been away from cycling this year.

“It is fantastic that the return of Linus Gerdemann and John-Lee Augustyn to racing will happen in an African race on an African team. Both riders are exceptional talents that have big roles to play in Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung this year and into the future for African cycling. I know they cannot wait to pin numbers on their new team jerseys in 2014 and get back in the peloton. They are both really happy to be back,” Ryder concluded.

Algerian, Youcef Reguigui, will lead the team in the sprints and showed some good form earlier this week after winning a local event in Algeria. The rest of the team make up includes Songezo Jim who finished fourth on the general classification last year and Adrien Niyonshuti and Ferekalsi Debesay.

The MTN-Qhubeka roster to La Tropicale Amissa Bongo:

Adrien Niyonshuti, Ferekalsi Debesay, John-Lee Augustyn, Linus Gerdemann, Songezo Jim and Youcef Reguigui.