African team MTN-Qhubeka have been growing in profile and making history as they continue to impress on the big stage. Gerald Ciolek’s Milan-San Remo victory last year ensured the African team were propelled into the public eye and a debut at the Vuelta a Espana awaits later in the year.

Alongside Ciolek, South African champion Louis Meintjes has also impressed, scooping the white jersey at the Giro del Trentino, having done the same at the Mzansi Tour earlier in April and the 22-year-old could well join MTN-Qhubeka alumnus Daryl Impey (Orica-GreenEDGE) in flying the South African flag on the big stage.