MTN-Qhubeka have announced that Adrien Niyonshuti has renewed his contract which will see him ride for Team Dimension Data in 2016.

The Rwandan cycling star will start his 8th season with the African outfit next year and the longest standing team member will stay on board. He was integral to the team's success at races like the Coppa Bartali, Tour of Turkey and Tour of Utah in particular this year.

Niyonshuti is an inspiration to African riders across the continent and the Adrien Niyonshuti Cycling Academy has made great strides in the past year. While he is keen to invest more time into his academy,  he will continue with the African Team as he looks to make it to the start of his first grand tour in 2016.

"I am very happy to stay with the team for another year, it is another great opportunity for me," he said. "With the news coming out of the team possibly moving up to World Tour, I knew I really wanted to continue with the team again. Being the first Rwandan to race at that level is a goal I had always looked forward to.

"I have spent some good time home in Rwanda and with my academy and they give me much motivation for the new season. I am ready to work hard next season and help the team where ever I can. With a rider like Cavendish joining our team, whom I have known since 2010, it will help our team to move up a level and I am happy that this can also help me to take the next step in my career."

"We are extremely happy that Adrien will continue to ride for us," team principal Douglas Ryder said. "He's a true ambassador of the sport. Since he joined our team as a MTB rider, he has transitioned to a valuable road racer. Adrien took part in the 2012 London Olympics and some of the biggest road events in the world. In his home nation Rwanda he set up his own academy where he shares his experience to support the future of Rwandan cycling. His profile in world cycling is a great addition to our African team and we look forward to his contributions in the months to come."