New title sponsor named for Qhubeka

Paris - Technologies company Dimension Data will take over as title sponsor of the first African team on the Tour de France from MTN-Qhubeka, the outfit’s management said on Friday.

“We are extremely happy to announce that Dimension Data, the global ICT solutions and services provider, will become the new title partner of Ryder Cycling which owns and manages Team MTN-Qhubeka powered by Samsung, Africa’s only UCI Professional Continental Cycling Team,” a statement read.

“Effective 1 January 2016, the team’s new name will be Team Dimension Data.”

South African-based MTN-Qhubeka shone on the Tour de France this year, with Briton Stephen Cummings winning a stage on Nelson Mandela's birthday and Eritrean Daniel Teklehaimanot becoming the first African rider to wear the pink polka dot king of the mountains jersey. MTN-Qhubeka placed fifth overall in the team standings, out of 22 teams.

In the more recent Tour of Spain, known as the Vuelta, Italian Kristian Sbaragli won the 10th stage to give the team their second grand tour stage victory.

MTN announced shortly after the Tour de France that it was withdrawing its sponsorship of the team, citing tough market conditions.

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