Former Dimension Data rider Kent Main aims to grow TEG Procycling as positively as possible when he takes on a leadership role within the Continental team next year.
The 22-year-old, who formed part of DiData’s Continental team, said his role would be to guide his teammates and act as a mentor to the younger riders.
“I’ve raced in Europe for the last two seasons so I think they’ve seen I might have a bit more experience than some of the guys,” said Main.
“I’ll also help make some of the big decisions within the races and assist where I can when it comes to guidelines within the management so we can work together to make the whole process a lot smoother.”
The 22-year-old Kent Main will take on a leadership role within the new TEG Procycling Continental team next year. Photo: Olivia Booyse
Main said he aimed to achieve results and hoped to see growth in all aspects of the Continental team.
“The main thing for me, which I think I was lacking last year, is getting a significant result to be noticed or picked up by a World Tour or Pro-Continental team.
“With that being said, I do think my level is good enough. I’ve learnt a lot quite swiftly over the last few years with DiData.”
He said his main goal for next year would be to obtain as many UCI points as possible.
“I do think that’s the best way you’re going to move forward in cycling and up the ranks.”
Main said with his focus being on both local and international races, it would be a different set-up to what he was used to.
“Last year I was based in Italy for the whole year, whereas this year we’ll be in Pretoria.
“It might even be a better set-up for me and not necessarily a step back, but more a step to the side and coming in at a different angle.”
The other confirmed riders for the new Continental team are Ryan Harris, Gustav Basson, Brandon Downes, Louis Visser, Jason Oosthuizen, Eddie van Heerden, Brendon Davids, Michael Pretorius and Flavio Venceslau.
“The team is very strong and we have good riders. Some have raced internationally and some at a Continental level before as well. We also have guys who have shown great character, strength and results within local races.
“Along with that, some are there for the development side of things.”
Main said at their recent training camp it was good to see the level they were on as well as the riders’ enthusiasm and where their heads were at.
“All in all, we have a well-balanced team – guys who can pretty much do any type of result in any different type of terrain or race, so our options are quite open from that perspective.
“It’s now just about how we need to implement that and put it all together.”
He felt the experience he would bring would be “quite significant” as with DiData he had raced against “some of the best” under-23s, as well as other riders, in the world.
“Definitely [I have] a lot of experience in terms of races I’ve done. And because I’ve raced competitively for quite a few years it’s something that will come a lot easier to me than some of the others who haven’t necessarily taken the step just yet,” said Main.
He felt excited to be joining the new team and thought it was one of the better decisions for him, based on the set-up and development they were looking to implement in the sport.
“This is the second Continental team I’ll be joining, and racing at that level has shown me that it’s a significant jump up from the local racing in South Africa.
“It’s the progression and first step really to making it as a professional cyclist, so I’m happy I could stay in the Continental ranks for 2019 with TEG.”
