Having enjoyed success in last week's Tour of Norway, MTN-Qhubeka continue their Norwegian adventure in this week's Tour des Fjords. With Gerald Ciolek now busy in Bayern, the team will be led by Kristian Sbaragli.

After the Tour of Norway last week, Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung continue racing in the Scandinavian country when they start the 5 stage Tour des Fjords today. The Tour des Fjords takes in more of the southern country sides of Norway where once again, some truly spectacular scenery can be expected.

As is the norm in Norway, the weather could change daily and may have an affect on the racing. Cold and windy racing may be the order of play this weekend with the riders thinking they are back at a Belgian spring classic. Last weeks Tour of Norway 2 time stage winner, Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) will start as the races overwhelming favourite, particularly because there is a strong possibility that each stage will finish in some sort of field sprint, wether it is a mass sprint or if a reduced peloton arrive at the line together.

Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung have made three changes to the team that took on the Tour of Norway last week. Kristian Sbaragli replaces Gerald Ciolek, Martin Wesemann comes in for Adrien Niyonshuti and Jacques Janse van Rensburg takes the place of Ferekalsi Debesay. Johann van Zyl, Dennis van Niekerk and Tsgabu Grmay all return continue with their Norwegian adventure.

"This tour is hard and pretty technical and like we saw at the Tour of Norway, it will be like a classic race every stage with high speed," Directeur Sportif Manel Lacambra said. "The wind can be an important factor too.

"To this race we bring an African roster with the addition of our Italian, Kristian. With him we hope for a good result in one of the the sprint finish stages. Then some of our riders are still building up their form after recent injuries and others after their first break in the season.

"We will still try to be protagonist in the breaks though and who knows if our African climbers will be able to fight for a top result with the top classic riders."