South African cyclist Ryan Harris expressed delight at having signed with his first Continental team after it was announced yesterday that he would be one of TEG Procycling’s riders for 2019.
The 20-year-old sprinter said he felt it was a huge boost to his career to join the country’s third Continental team, which was set up by Hein Badenhorst who previously worked with Team Dimension Data.
“This is one step closer to achieving my ultimate goal of racing in the World Tour and I’d like to thank Hein for giving me this opportunity.”
The 20-year-old South African sprinter, Ryan Harris, has been confirmed as one of TEG Procycling’s riders for next year. Photo: Olivia Booyse
Harris said he hoped to make an impact in terms of results, building his character and being able to help out wherever he could.
“I hope to aim at some of the flatter races and hopefully get some stage wins or top results.
“I also hope to be able to work for some of the GC [general classification] guys on climbing stages.”
Harris has competed well on the local and international stage of late, claiming podiums at this year’s National Classic Cycle Race, Amashova Durban Classic, Cycle4Cansa, 100 Cycle Challenge and a top-10 result in stage two of the Tour of Sharjah.
Even though he was not allowed to release the names of his fellow riders, he said they had a wealth of experience from which he would learn.
“Hein also knows the ropes very well and I’m excited to find out what he can teach me,” said Harris. He had great respect for how Badenhorst had brought his idea of increasing local riders’ exposure at races to fruition.
“Riding overseas is a bit different. I’ve done it twice this year for a local team and had a little stint with a Spanish outfit. The way they race can make it harder at times.
“So I’m keen to up my level. I think you’re forced to do that with racing internationally.”
Being part of this team means Harris will be able to compete in higher-ranked races worldwide and gain more exposure in the hopes of being noticed by a World Tour team.
“It comes with racing against bigger teams, which have scouts. So achieving a good result could help open doors to get a World Tour or Pro Continental contract.”
The team’s first European races include the International Rhodes Grand Prix (1.2) and International Tour of Rhodes (2.2) in Greece, as well as the Baltyk-Karkonosze Tour (UCI 2.2) in Poland.
