Our main sponsor is Telkom, a telecommunications provider based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Telkom is a very big company in Africa, and they immediately were positive when we explained our project to them. Telkom has signed a contract that keeps them our head sponsor till 2015.


For our secondary sponsor we searched for a bank located in Western Africa, to keep it an African-wide team in all aspects. Ecobank is located in Lomé, Togo, and they also responded positive to our plans. Ecobank is the leading regional banking group in Western and Central Africa. Ecobank stays with us till at least 2014.

And now it’s time to present our jersey for the 2013 season:



So that means the name of this team will be Team Telkom-Ecobank.

First, I wanna thank fcancellara / Casper for making some awesome graphics for this story, and for being a great friend outside the world of PCM . I also wanna thank Aidan(vn13) for helping me with building the squad and for keeping me motivated. And last but not least, I wanna thank PCM.daily and it’s members in general. YOU amaze and inspire me time after time with great career stories, stages, shirts or databases, and it’s with YOU that talking about a video game gets really fun. Thanks to you all!

My name is Mitch van Ewijk, known on this forum as MitchNL. I’m 16 years old, I live in the Dutch town of Landgraaf, and I’m the Directeur Sportif of the Telkom-Ecobank cycling team.

Now I hear you wondering ‘why is a 16-year old DS of a professional cycling team?' Well, let me tell you a story. About a year ago, I was surfing the web for the MTN-Qhubeka site, and as soon as I got there, I saw an ad about an application form to apply as a DS for MTN’s new development squad. So I thought ‘Hey, why not?’ and filled in the form. It was a complete surprise for me when MTN called me with the message that I could come over to South Africa for a conversation! MTN would take care of all costs, so it got even better and better.

Some weeks later I had a job interview with the guys of MTN-Qhubeka. They said that I was the only one from Europe to apply for the job, and that they wanted an European look on the case. They were also impressed of the fact that I said I wanted to develop myself with the team, since I’m the youngest person in the world of professional cycling. The most astonishing fact to me was that they even said that they were impressed of my experience in cycling, the only thing I’ve written there was ‘9 years of playing Pro Cycling Manager’!

So, after signing some papers, I was handed the job of Directeur Sportif of Team Telkom-Ecobank. My personal goals are:

- Develop Telkom’s talents so they can promote to MTN-Qhubeka and help MTN to get a World Tour license within 5 years.

- Getting a Pro Continental Tour license with Telkom as soon as MTN promotes to the World Tour.

- Develop myself as a manager, so that I will be able to control the team in the really big races.

I'm very happy that the guys at MTN have confidence in me, and I'll do anything to shw that I'm worth the job!

Tesfay was one of the first guys who came to my mind when I had to sign riders for the 2013 season. He finished 3 times in the top 10 of the Tour of Eritrea, with a 2nd place in 2011 being his best finish. His silver medal at the 2011 African championships earned him a contract at MTN-Qhubeka for 2012, but they dropped him at the end of the season. He was happy to sign for Telkom-Ecobank as we wish to help Tesfay with his development, so that maybe one day he can make his comeback into the MTN squad.

Calvin impressed in some smaller South African races before he got a contract for MTN-Qhubeka's 2012 team. Yet his best moment was in that same 2012 season, when he took the U23 national title. This didn't change MTN's mind though as they released him at the end of 2012. Calvin is determined to show the world and the guys at MTN-Qhubeka why he's the best U23 rider from South Africa.

Hichem is one of the most experienced African riders in the Continental Tour. He rode for the Konica Minolta team back in 2008, before moving to MTN in 2009. His best results came after this years though. Hichem is the 2010 Arabic champion U23, and at the same time he took the bronze medal in the elite race. Vélo Club Sovac of his home country Algeria picked him up for last season, where he got a top 3 in both the Algerian time trial and road race championships, and took the gold in the elite race of the Arabic championships. He desired to make a comeback to the Continental Tour though, and as soon as we made contact to Hichem, he said that he would love the opportunity to defend the colours of Telkom-Ecobank.

Merhawi wasn't on our original list of potential signings, but he impressed everyone in the cycling world in the 2012 Tour of Rwanda, where he won the first stage and took 3 second places to grab 6th in the GC, while only being 18 years old. We negotiated quickly with Merhawi, and he was honoured to sign with a professional team. The management has the feeling that Merhawi leaves the team soon, because his climbing abilities are immense for someone aged 18.

Johannes is a rather unknown name in cycling, as he mostly rode as a domestique during his 2-year stint at MTN-Qhubeka. But he goes full power when he's all alone, the ultimate prove is his second place at the 2012 South African U23 Time Trial championships. MTN didn't want to continue with Johannes though, so we contacted him. Johannes immediately responded positive and signed a contract for two years at our team.

Let’s start off with Eric, the only Rwandan in the squad. He just turned 18, but that doesn’t say anything about his speed. He participated in the Time Trial trials, and powered his way to a professional contract. He could easily follow the average speed of some reasonable TT specialists in the World Tour! It was very clear to us that Eric had to be included in the team, and we’re very happy that Eric also sees the opportunities in this team, which made him decide to stay wit hus until at least the end of 2014.

Danny also participated at the Time Trial pre-selection, and just managed to make the cut, though he lost a bit of speed at the end, he was also going very quick at the start. Danny may not have te best stats of the team, but because of him being 18 and his promising potential we decided to give Danny a chance for the 2013 season. And who knows, if Danny makes himself known, he’ll get a contract extension for some more years at our team.

Next up is our absolute leader of the team. Farid Belghazi already showed off his abilities in some local amateur races before signing up to our Climbing trials. What we saw there was outstanding. Farid powered up the climb like he’s already an experienced World Tour rider. We knew this guy had to be on our squad as soon as he started his solo. The downside of the story is that Farid is extremely talented, so we couldn’t give him a two-year contract. Farid feels extremely lucky to be a part of this team and hopes he can make a name for himself in the professional cycling world.

Sofiane maybe wasn’t one of the most talented rider in the Climbing trials, but he did a smart job as he made an agreement with his fellow countryman Farid Belghazi. This did the job for Sofiane as he almost stood still at the end of the climb while just hanging on to the needed requirements for a contract. Like Danny Bastiaanse, Sofiane gets a chance to prove why he’s worth to be in this team for 2014.

Greg is a very shy young man when he’s not on a bike, but as soon as the race starts hell breaks loose. The 18-year old from Cape Town participated in the Hills trials and powered away like he was Philippe Gilbert on his way to the world title. Though Greg’s price was a little less precious, he was very happy to snatch himself a spot in the team. Oh, and Greg’s got a great potential, so maybe one day he’ll be able to actually win the WC himself…

Despite almost being the squad’s benjamin, Runako Edwards shocked everyone as he managed to easily sprint towards a professional contract at the flat trials, even though no one was able to lead him out. This 17-year old powerhouse has enough potential to become a sprint dominator, so we’re very happy that Runako wants tob e in this team for at least two seasons.

As a real Eritrean, Saare loves them climbs, so it was no surprise that he (and with him many other Eritreans) signed up for the Climbing trials. It seemed like all the Eritreans teamed up, but Saare was a class apart against his fellow countrymen, although his speed wasn’t abnormal high. This is the reason why we want Saare to prove himself in the professional circus first, before we can judge him on his performances and decide if he deserves a longer stint at our team.

Johannes grew up in a hilly area in the eastern-most part of South Africa, so it was no surprise that the 19-year old did well at the Climbing trials. He even managed to stay in front of all Eritreans. Johannes rode some amateur races in South Africa before signing up to our trials, so he’s quite experienced as well. This doens’t mean that he will also perform in the pro peleton, so that’s why we’ll check his development during the 2013 season, so that at the end of the season we can make a clear decision about his contract.

This almost 20-year old from Tunisia’s capital is a fenominal beast. Already having some experiences of local criteriums in his pocket, Rachid decided to sign up for our Flat trials. And afterwards this was the best choice for him, for us and for the hopes of African cycling, because when the sprinters had to do their job Rachid stood up, kicked everyone’s butt and took the pro contract with street lengths of distance to his rivals. We’re certain that Rachid soon outgrows our level, so a 1-year contract is more than enough in our opinion.

Chibesa hasn’t reached the age of 18 yet, but he’s already a good sprinter. He proved that in the Flat trials, where he finished off a great lead-out by the young man who comes right after Chibesa in this introduction. Chibesa focuses on sprints and sprints only, it seems to us that sprinting for the stage wins and the podium girls is what his life is all about. Combine that with his potential and you’ve got another future sprinting star in professional cycling.

Yes, Daniel was the lead-out we were talking about when we introduced Chibesa Mwanza. Daniel is a great guy when the route is pancake flat. When he relays the pack splits up into parts, when he chases the breakaway there’s a group reunion in no time, and when he has to do a lead-out the sprinter behind him is almost certain of the stage win. As long as no hills show up Daniel turns into a tank: unstoppable, indestructible and blasting his way forward.

We continue our team introduction with the youngest rider in the squad. Despite reaching the age of 17 recently, Tangeni impressed us at the Flat trials where he did a great job in getting the breakaway back and leading out Rachid Hanouna. We believe this bloke has a fantastic future in sight, not only because of his age, but also because he has an immense potential. We’re glad that Tangeni signed for our team till the end of 2014, because we’re almost certain that this guy will develop into a road captain.

Ermias is one of the many Eritreans who challenged our Climbing pre-selection. As his best mate Saare Gebremedhin powered away Ermias was the only one to follow Gebremedhin’s tempo. He eventually finished a bit behind his fellow countryman, but is was just enough to clinch a spot at our team. Ermias is also just 17 years old, but he already showed us his climbing abilities. We’re just not sure about if he will be able to perform this on the professional stage, so 2013 will be a year of evoluation for Ermias.

Thomas is one of the most relaxed guys in the team. Always laughing, always making fun. But the real business starts when the bikes roll off and the race is started. But Thomas always has that tiny bit of flair when it’s a hilly course. He already showed that on the Hills trials, where he kept attacking till no one was left in his group, and even after that moment he kept on going at 100 percent. Thomas has the potential to become one of the greatest puncheurs in the world, so remember the name as he’s going to be on our squad for at least two years.

The last rider to be introduced is this 20-year old from Kenya, but he’s definately not the worst rider in the team. At the Hills trials he already showed us that he’s a fenomenal puncheur, and that he’s able to finish high on the table when the last 5 kilometres of a stage include a hill. Robert has the potential to become a possible winner of the Ardennes classics, and he already has a bit of experience duet o some decent results in Kenyan amateur races. All in all we’re very glad that Robert is a part of our team for at least two years.

14/1 - 20/1	La Tropicale Amissa Bongo
23/1 - 27/1	New Zealand Cycle Classic
3/2 - 8/2	Tour of Qatar
11/2 - 16/2	Tour of Oman
21/2 - 2/3	Tour de Langkawi
14/3 - 17/3	Istrian Spring Trophy
23/3	Kosice-Miskolc
12/4 - 14/4	Vuelta a Castilla y León
25/4 - 28/4	Joe Martin Stage Race
4/5	Berner Rundfahrt
9/5 - 12/5	Rhone-Alpes Isère Tour
19/5 - 26/5	An Post Ras
2/6	GP Südkärnten
11/7 - 14/7	Czech Cycling Tour
20/7	Central European Tour Miskolc GP
23/7 - 28/7	Tour Alsace
1/8 - 4/8	Tour des Pyrénées
21/8 - 25/8	Baltic Chain Tour
13/9 - 18/9	Tour of China I

We’ve got some pretty high level racing in the beginning with Qatar, Oman and Langkawi. After that it gets a bit more peaceful, until the end of July when we get two heavy stage races in France. We’re going to end off the season in China.