The highlight of Douglas Ryder’s career in cycling is undoubtedly his team’s official invitation – which arrived by SMS on January 14, 2015 – to participate in that year’s Tour de France.
Former South African professional Douglas Ryder has always had a vision of building an African team that would climb the ranks to elite level. Photo: Supplied
It was the culmination of a journey as team owner that had started 18 years earlier with Team Lotus when he was still in the prime of his own cycling career.
That team changed and evolved over time into what is now the formidable NTT Pro Cycling WorldTour team.
“The years from 2007 to 2012 were special as we built the foundation of what we have now,” says Ryder, who debuted for the South African national road team as far back as 1993.
“All of these teams had special people in them that have been a part of the journey to where we are today,” says the 48-year-old, referring to the eight different set-ups he has nurtured into what is now often referred to as Africa’s Team.
More accurately, the current structure has its roots in the UCI Continental Team, MTN Microsoft, that was registered in 2007.
There have been testing times on the journey, most notably while they were setting up the team in Europe in the early years.
“We faced many challenges,” admits Ryder, who is currently based in Johannesburg. “It’s amazing how far we have come.”
He has certainly experienced the good and the bad of the sport at the highest level: some lean years in terms of victories have been offset by some very special successes.
“With over 120 wins since going to Europe, we have done well,” says Ryder, who pedalled onto the local scene as a member of the Defence Force team in 1990.
As the first African team ever to make it into the biggest race of all, he is naturally especially proud of the team’s successes in the sport’s blue riband event.
“The seven Tour de France stage wins have all been totally unbelievable.”
Gerald Ciolek’s Milan-San Remo victory in 2013 is another that stands out for him, with Omar Fraile’s stage success in the Giro and Ben King’s brace at the Vuelta not far behind.
“It is great to have won stages in all the Grand Tours,” says the 2001 Cape Town Cycle Tour champion, a victory he rates as one of the most special in his own career, especially as it was achieved in his then-hometown.
He was a member of the national team until 2002 and raced for a pro team in the United States for two years during the same time. His swansong was in South Africa in 2007.
“I would see myself as a top rider in South Africa during this time,” says Ryder, who beat formidable international competition to win the 1995 Boland Bank Tour, one of his more notable successes.
“I captained the national team for many years, and I was consistent and worked hard. We did not have many opportunities internationally in the mid to late nineties, so it was a tough time to make a living just riding.”
His number one priority right now is the sustainability of the team during the coronavirus.
“We hope we can get back to racing in August and try and save this year as well our partner commitments for 2021.”
As a man who has grafted on both sides of the cycling spectrum, he has some handy advice for youngsters as well as those who are closer to hanging up their wheels.
“Young talent need to work hard, believe in themselves and not chase a pay check. They must try and get to Europe as soon as possible and race on club teams to get experience and work their way up.
“Those coming to the end of their careers need to build their network, give back to the sport and their sponsors and mentor younger riders.”
He remains hopeful that more African riders will make it into the European pro peloton and do “significant things”.
“We have opened the door and it is time to walk through it.”
