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Qhubeka sign Eritrean, Spanish star

Cape Town - MTN-Qhubeka has announced that the young Eritrean talent Mekseb Debesay will join Team Dimension Data for the 2016 season as will Spaniard, Igor Anton.

Debesay has been one of the most successful riders on the UCI African Tour this year, picking up no less than 7 victories which included 2 stage wins at last month's Tour du Rwanda as well as the overall GC win at the International Tour de Blida earlier in the year. The Tour d’Algerie and Tour of Eritrea GC victories are also among the 24-year-old’s palmares.

The experienced Anton will also represent Africa’s Team next season, adding depth to the team's climbing contingent. Anton is already a well-known rider, with a number of prestigious victories to his credit. Stage wins at the Giro d’Italia as well as at the Vuelta a Espana, Anton's pedigree is well established. With a stage and the overall victory at the Vuelta Asturias this year, the 32-year-old has also shown he still hungry for success after 11 years as a professional.

Mekseb Debesay said: It’s hard for me to describe in words how I feel about joining this team. It’s a dream come true for me after five years of longing to joining Africa’s Team, which will race as Team Dimension Data next year.

Igor Anton said: I always like riding my bike but joining this team adds another dimension to it due to its cause. Knowing to race for a greater good is something that I feel very special about and am very much looking forward to. It’s certainly a fortunate feeling. I always wanted to continue my career, but liked the idea to join this team. It feels like a good group of people and I’m really motivated to pin on my first number in the new outfit.

Team MTN-Qhubeka will be known as Team Dimension Data from January 1, 2016.

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