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African team Dimension Data bumped up to WorldTour status

In a historic move Wednesday, the UCI granted Team Dimension Data, formerly known as MTN-Qhubeka, a WorldTour license. Dimension Data becomes the first African team to race in the highest level of professional cycling. The team had applied for a Pro Continental license, which it received, but only 17 teams applied for WorldTour status when the UCI’s quota is 18 squads.

MTN-Qhubeka has existed since 2007 when it was called MTN. Since then it has climbed up into the Continental and then Pro Continental ranks for the 2013 season. Since then the team has been a wild card squad in the Vuelta a España and this year’s Tour de France, where Brit Steve Cummings won a stage and Eritrean Daniel Teklehaimanot wore the polka dot jersey.

Since the end of the 2015 season, the team secured not only a new title sponsor, but also companies Deloitte and Sapinda as backers. Mark Cavendish’s transfer to the team, along with Bernie Eisel, Mark Renshaw, Kanstantsin Siutsou and Omar Fraile, has brought new possibilities and depth to the outfit.

The team was over the moon. Team principal said on the squad’s webpage, “This is incredible, I am so happy for this team, our partners and all the staff and riders that have worked so hard over the years to keep building this team to push beyond the boundaries and believe that anything is possible. To get this news on our training camp in Cape Town as we are bonding with our new team for the future is simply the best motivation to move forward into 2016.”

Dimension Date CEO Brett Dawson added, “As the title sponsor, we’re extremely proud to be part of the team’s iconic rise from one of the five wild cards teams to ride in this year’s Tour de France to World Tour status. We look forward to accelerating our journey together and continue to play a role in developing African riders into professional cyclists who will compete in some of the world’s greatest cycling events.”

The 2016 WorldTour begins January 19 with the 18th Tour Down Under. The UCI named all 18 WorldTour teams on Wednesday.
Ag2r La Mondiale (Canadian: Hugo Houle)
Astana Pro Team
BMC Racing Team
Cannondale Pro Cycling Team (Canadian: Michael Woods)
Dimension Data
Etixx-QuickStep
FDJ
IAM Cycling
Lampre-Merida
Lotto Soudal
Movistar Team
Orica-GreenEdge (Canadians: Svein Tuft and Christian Meier)
Team Giant-Alpecin
Team Katusha
Team Lotto NL-Jumbo
Team Sky
Tinkoff
Trek Factory Racing (Canadian: Ryder Hesjedal)

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