Team Dimension Data have announced that six new African riders will join their feeder team, which will race a predominantly European calendar.
Ethiopian champion Hafetab Weldu, Getachow Astbha, Joseph Areruya, Samuel Mugisha, El Mehdi Chokri and Louis Visser will be the new young faces.
Team Dimension Data have announced that six new African riders will join their feeder team, which will race a predominantly European calendar. Photo: Stiehl Photography
Continuing with the feeder team for their second year is double South African U23 champion Stefan de Bod, as well as Nicholas Dlamini, Metkel Eyob, Amanuel Gebreigzahbier and Jun Rey Navarra.
Last year the continental feeder team were based in Europe for their first full season. The team was able to pick up eight race victories on the African continent, but it was the strong performances in the European U23 events where the riders developed best.
The most significant moment of the year came at the Coppa della Pace where Keagan Girdlestone was involved in a life-threatening crash.
The highlight of the season has been to see the progress Girdlestone continues to make with his recovery, as well as having his good friend Ryan Gibbons graduate from the continental team into the World Tour squad for the 2017 season.
2017 Team Dimension Data Continental
Stefan De Bod – South Africa (20)
Nicholas Dlamini – South Africa (21)
Louis Visser – South Africa (18)
Joseph Areruya – Rwanda (21)
Samuel Mugisha – Rwanda (19)
Getachow Astbha – Ethiopia (20)
Hafetab Weldu – Ethiopia (20)
Metkel Eyob – Eritrea (23)
Amanuel Ghebreigzahbier – Eritrea (22)
El Mehdi Chokri – Morocco (20)
Jun Rey Navarra – Philippines (24)
