The 2021 Tour de France gets underway in Brest on 26 June and finishes in Paris on 18 July.
Johannesburg, South Africa (26 June 2021) – Sparks will fly as the 2021 Tour de France kicks off, with South Africa’s Qhubeka World Tour Cycling team making its seventh appearance.
The annual men’s multiple-stage bicycle race primarily held in France will get underway on Saturday.
Like other grand tours, the event, which consists of 21 day-long stages over the course of 23 days, commences this Saturday until Sunday 18 July 2021.
The team from South Africa will be represented by eight riders, including Nicholas Dlamini, a Cape Town-born athlete who makes history as the first black South African cyclist to participate in the 108th Tour de France.
The 25-year-old, who grew up in an informal settlement in Cape Town, first caught the eye as a runner before moving into cycling, where his talents saw him move to the UCI’s World Cycling Centre Africa in Potchefstroom, South Africa. It is from here that he first earned a spot in our UCI Continental outfit – Team Qhubeka – based in Lucca, Italy.
“Being selected to ride in my first Tour de France is an absolute dream come true for me. It’s always been an absolute childhood dream for me and now that I’m about to live it makes it feel surreal.
I think it speaks to what the team is about, the Ubuntu spirit, and how we change people’s lives because it is honestly a very special moment: to come from a small township and then to go to the Tour de France.
Considering where I come from it would simply have been impossible for me to have the opportunity to ride at the Tour de France if it wasn’t for Team Qhubeka ASSOS. The platform that they’ve provided me, and other riders from Africa, to compete at the highest level in cycling has been critical.” – Nic Dlamini
South Africa’s Team Qhubeka World Tour Cycling team with the motto of ‘Bicycles Change lives’ will be making its 7th appearance this year, having done well in 2015 with Steve Cummings’ stage win on Mandela Day.
In a statement on Friday, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa sent his best wishes to the team ahead of the race.
“Allow me to first congratulate Nicholas Dlamini rising from humble beginnings to the international stage. This is a demonstration that tenacity, determination and selflessness are indeed virtues that birth greatness, as long as one remains focused at all times.
“To the entire South African registered team that will be carrying the country’s flag high, go out there and represent us well. You have stood the test of time, especially during these difficult times when the COVID-19 pandemic is still wreaking global havoc.
“We agree with your motto that bicycles change lives, as they serve as an instrument of promoting a healthy lifestyle – all the best to the team. We are behind you all the way,” Mthethwa said.
The 2021 Tour de France gets underway in Brest on 26 June and finishes in Paris on 18 July.
2021 Tour de France line-up [squad numbers]:
Simon Clarke – Australia [09]
Michael Gogl – Austria [07]
Victor Campenaerts – Belgium [55]
Max Walscheid – Germany [13]
Sean Bennett – USA [31]
Nic Dlamini – South Africa [17]
Sergio Henao – Colombia [10]
Fabio Aru – Italy [21]