Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung will be hosting its first training camp in preparation for the 2015 cycling season from 23-30 November at the beautiful Spier Wine Farm, in the Western Cape of South Africa. This will be the first time that all the new riders and staff will get together ahead of the team’s biggest cycling season yet.

Spier Wine Farm has been chosen as the venue for the training camp as it is the provincial partner of the Wildlands Conservation Trust and the Qhubeka foundation. With Team MTN-Qhubeka continuing to raise awareness for the Qhubeka project globally, it is fitting that all the team’s partners will come together as the team begins its planning for a season that will hopefully include the first ever participation of an African team in the Tour de France.

Andrew Milne, CEO of Spier Wine Farm: Our ethos – which we call the Spier Way – is the constant, connecting thread in all that we do: at Spier it is all about balance. We constantly strive to find innovative ways for our business to succeed in balance with our environment and society. One such example of this is Treepreneurs – a project that is giving more than 70 people living in some of the Cape’s poorest areas the opportunity to support their families by growing their own seedlings (change their lives) – which is supported by the Wildlands Conservation Trust and the Qhubeka foundation. Therefore, when approached by MTN Qhubeka to host the team for their training camp we were both proud and honoured to be part of group that too strive to make a difference in people’s lives and further champion the cause for South Africa and Africa as a whole. We look forward to welcoming the team and helping them off to a winning start.

MTN South Africa Chief Marketing Officer Larry Annetts: MTN is pleased that the investment made in developing cycling talent across the African continent is bearing fruit. We wish the Team MTN Qhubeka p/b Samsung success during this training camp in preparations for the 2015 cycling season.

To the new riders, welcome to this passionate African cycling team, we wish you all the best and may you enjoy your stay in this beautiful part of our land.

MTN wishes the team the best of luck during their demanding yet exciting international calendar year in 2015 and we are confident that they will fly the African flag with pride.

Justin Hume, Head of Product Marketing, Integrated Mobility at Samsung Electronics South Africa: It gives us great pleasure to be able to participate in this initiative. This sponsorship is part of our key focus on ‘Built for Africa’ and truly focuses on our core principles, namely: sustainability, youth empowerment, transforming education and healthcare. This partnership allows us to participate in a meaningful programme that is transforming lives.

We are proud to be associated with Team MTN Qhubeka p/b Samsung and we are confident that, given the team’s continued endurance and motivation, 2015 will be an incredibly successful year for them.

Sarah Phaweni, Qhubeka Executive Director: We understand that great partnerships are fundamental to success in life and in business. Nelson Mandela said, “Sport has the power to change the world.” Thus we are delighted to support Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung in its quest to change lives throughout South Africa by raising the profile of the bicycle. To have partners like them reminds us there are great people and teams out there who want to help us to make a difference and an impact on the world with bicycles.

Team MTN-Qhubeka will also be giving its fans the unique opportunity to join the team during the training camp for an Open Ride on Saturday 29 November. All media and Team MTN-Qhubeka supporters are invited to the Open Ride where they can ride alongside and chat to the riders about the great year passed and on the team plans for 2015. An option for a post ride brunch and Q&A with the riders is also available. You can join the ride here: Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung Open Ride