After some uncertainty, the MG's first full-african squad Eritel - Sonatrach will continue into 2017, boosted by some late Kenyan investment to ensure their survival.
With key sponsors from across the continent: Eritel (Lead Sponsor) Sonatrach (Secondary Sponsor) Laraki (Bikes, Teamcars) Rwandair (Travel) Capestorm (Clothing) SportPesa (Official Betting Partner) EBH Namibia (Minor sponsor)
A few stage wins in 2016, but no overall race victories. But riders continue to develop, and that's what counts!
First season win: Daryl Impey, Tour of Vancouver, Stage 2 Teklehaimanot went on the attack in Stage 5 of the Tour of South Africa, day long break, 8th at stage end, 8th on GC
C1
Philadelphia International
5
Impey
15
Van Heerden
HC
Dutch Food Valley Classic
4
Van Heerden
89
Afewerki
HC
Interlagos Grand Prix
7
Impey
113
Lagab
HC
5 Jours de Dunkerque
8
Debesay
15
Lagab
C1
Tour of Japan
16
Khederi
29
Teklehaimanot
HC
Kenya Mountain Classic
11
Berhane
30
Reguigui
C1
Viana do Castelo
2
Lagab
36
Bikienga
First jersey of the season as Khederi takes the Tour of Japan KoM. Also notable in the race was 10th for Anguilet in the Mt Fuji TT One of the rides of the season, Lagab took 2nd at Viana do Castelo
HC
Berlin ProRace
3
Van Heerden
13
Impey
18
Cisse
27
Debesay
HC
Tour of Norway
51
Cisse
64
Ayoune
PT
Dauphine Libere
14
Berhane
33
Reguigui
C2
Giro del Capo
21
Adriamihajanarivo
78
Kemboi
C1
Grozny Classic
8
Debesay
28
Bikienga
HC
Nelspruit Classic
37
Khederi
38
Craven
Let's forget the final kilometre: Impey and Van Heerden almost working at Berlin ProTour victory! Daryl Impey takes the opener at the Dauphine
HC
Tour d'Andorra
13
Berhane
31
Teklehaimanot
HC
Tour of the Battenkill
6
Debesay
7
Lagab
HC
Tour of Beijing
27
Craven
29
Teklit
HC
Int. Osterreich Rundfahrt
19
Teklehaimanot
37
Reguigui
HC
Clasica San Sebastian
8
Teklit
48
Debesay
HC
Baltic Chain Tour
35
Afewerki
77
Van Heerden
Debesay rode his heart out at the Tour of the Battenkill, as we came 6th and 7th The final stage in Austria wasn't Dan Craven's only stage podium of the season. Outfoxed in the winning breakaway for 2nd here 8th for Teklit at Clasica San Sebastian
C1
Tour of America
2
Berhane
7
Reguigui
27
Anguilet
28
Teklit
Gebrezgabihier then Afewerki with the lead-out, as Van Heerden fights his inconistencies to win Stage 8 of the Tour of America And on Stage 9, Natnael Berhane puts in a dominant display to win on Mount Washington. Reguigui an impressive 6th, Anguilet 12th Reguigui then sets up Berhane on Stage 10, as he takes the race lead Race lead into Stage 19, but the time trial lets him down
HC
Tour of Ukraine
3
Craven
38
Impey
HC
Rheden GP
6
Lagab
8
Debesay
PT
GP Liechtenstein
11
Berhane
38
Anguilet
C1
Grand Prix de la Ville d'Oran
9
Impey
38
Debesay
PT
Copenhagen-Malmo TTT
22
Craven
Madani
HC
Paris-Tours
18
Van Heerden
19
Impey
HC
Giro dell'Emilia
17
Teklit
38
Lagab
C2
Tour du Faso
8
Bikienga
50
Dossouvi
C1
Tour of East Java
15
Reguigui
16
Berhane
HC
Japan Cup
19
Craven
29
Khederi
Craven on the attack for 3rd on queen stage and GC in Ukraine, after Impey took 2nd in a hilly sprint Cisse with a powerful leadout in East Java. As usual, Van Heerden can't keep up On home cobbled roads, Salfo Bikienga fought hard for 3rd on Stage 1 and 8th overall
Yay, almost the only african team in PCT, but at least there's hoyle's team coming up too now. Good luck for the upcoming adventure, hope african cycling can develop further in this current season.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Was impressive to see Eritel assemble a fully African line-up for 2016, but the erosion of foreign leaders had a measurable impact on performance, with the team sitting uncomfortably just above the relegation for much of the season. With the decline of some of the top talent on the roster, I was thinking that the African rider only approach might have to be put to one-side for 2017. However the shock withdrawl of sponsorship by kKenya Airways does mean that there are some good options from across the continent to compete for. Will be more than interesting to see if the previous collegiate approach of the African MG teams to transfers will be maintained with Telekom under pressure to build for PT survival and Haute Route receiving a surprise budget increase to go with their late promotion to PCT. With the rider talent that has been developing on African soil over the last few years, there is bound to also be increasing interest from scouts and rider agents to engage with foreign teams as well.
Given WCC's aspirations to build towards a not dis-similar model (although lacking the region specifity), we as always will follow developments with great interest given there are lots of options for which directions Eritel choose to take to navigate the 2017 season.
An all african team is just something to dream of and something I think I will be aiming for in MG. We can talk during transfers regarding availability of your riders
Scorchio wrote:
Was impressive to see Eritel assemble a fully African line-up for 2016, but the erosion of foreign leaders had a measurable impact on performance, with the team sitting uncomfortably just above the relegation for much of the season. With the decline of some of the top talent on the roster, I was thinking that the African rider only approach might have to be put to one-side for 2017. However the shock withdrawl of sponsorship by kKenya Airways does mean that there are some good options from across the continent to compete for. Will be more than interesting to see if the previous collegiate approach of the African MG teams to transfers will be maintained with Telekom under pressure to build for PT survival and Haute Route receiving a surprise budget increase to go with their late promotion to PCT. With the rider talent that has been developing on African soil over the last few years, there is bound to also be increasing interest from scouts and rider agents to engage with foreign teams as well.
Given WCC's aspirations to build towards a not dis-similar model (although lacking the region specifity), we as always will follow developments with great interest given there are lots of options for which directions Eritel choose to take to navigate the 2017 season.
Now we are all-African, that's not going to change. If that leads towards CT in future, then it will be a kick-ass CT team! And indeed while the loss of Kenya Airways is a real pity, it certainly opens up an opportunity for a very interesting signing or two. I do think that it takes a bit of stability - or relaxedness over team standings - to entirely devote to a region at the expense of maximising team strength. So I should have that to my advantage over two promoting African teams - although certainly there's no desire for them to become rivals, and no stopping everyone else!
Post-Renewals, let's have a look at the squad. Team leader Natnael Berhane naturally took a pay rise, following his pre-season training. But some of our experienced riders accepted pay cuts, and with riders departing, team finances are in a healthy position.
As you can see, the potential rider availability has been grouped into 5 categories.
While none of the remaining riders need to be sold, that is not to say that they are unavailable. Those listed as Maybe do have a better chance of being sold, but an Unlikely rider may also end up leaving - given the right deal. The only riders who will not be sold are those who return from loan this season, having completed their development.
A number of riders have been released to the market. We hope this does not mark the end of their careers - and may yet return to some of them before the transfer season is out.
Capestorm (Clothing)
SportPesa (Official Betting Partner)
EBH Namibia (Minor sponsor)
