South Africa’s Louis Meintjes will lead an eight-man Dimension Data squad in the upcoming Giro d’Italia.
DiData’s Louis Meintjes will lead an eight-man squad at the upcoming Giro d’Italia. Photo: Scott Mitchell
The 101st edition of the Italian grand tour starts in Jerusalem, Israel, on Friday.
Meintjes said he was excited to be taking on a new challenge as he had never raced in the Giro d’Italia before.
“It is a great route, with some really tough stages,” he said.
The African team would be targeting successful results in the stages and in the general classification.
“I know we have worked hard and prepared well, and the target remains a strong GC result,” said Meintjes.
He added that they had a great team and that most of the riders had been together for most of the season.
“We are ready to give our all and do our best through our performance,” said Meintjes.
Another South African, Ryan Gibbons, will be the team’s designated sprinter, while the climbers will consist of compatriot Jacques Janse van Rensburg, Eritrean Natnael Berhane, Spaniard Igor Anton and American Ben King.
Joining them and making his debut at the tour as support to Meintjes will be Australian Ben O’Connor, who recently finished seventh overall in the Tour of Alps.
Jaco Venter, who also hails from South Africa, will assist Gibbons in the sprints and help the climbers at certain moments in the race.
Full team:
Louis Meintjes (RSA)
Ben O’Connor (AUS)
Ryan Gibbons (RSA)
Jacques Janse van Rensburg (RSA)
Natnael Berhane (ERI)
Igor Anton (ESP)
Ben King (USA)
Jaco Venter (RSA)
