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Cape Town - Cycling South Africa congratulated MTN-Qhubeka on its wild card selection for the 2015 Tour de France on Wednesday to become the first African team to feature in the race.
"I am sure I speak on behalf of the whole nation in saying how proud we are of Doug Ryder and Team MTN-Qhubeka on receiving the wild card invitation into the world's premier stage race," Cycling SA president William Newman said in a statement on Wednesday.
"This is a massive achievement for cycling, not only in our country but for the continent as well.
"We wish his team great success in the lead up to, and during the 'Tour. They have the support of the whole cycling fraternity and the nation on achieving this historic milestone."
Team MTN-Qhubeka team principal Doug Ryder said the text message from Tour de France general director Christian Prudhomme confirming their participation was the culmination of years of hard work.
"I always wondered how I would feel to hear the news, and it is simply indescribable," Ryder said.
"We have worked so hard, so many people have worked so hard. It's really incredible.
"The love for South African cycling on the social networks is just so evident."
Ryder said he was overwhelmed by the amount of support the team had garnered in their attempt to participate in the Tour de France.
"We live in a sports mad country and it feels great to see that so many people wanted the team to be in the race," he said.
"This goes back to Daryl's (Impey) success two years ago.
"South Africa has this desperate need to create sporting heroes, and to get the love for the team and something different and new really is an incredible feeling."
