Linus Gerdemann joins Ciolek at MTN-Qhubeka MyZA

MTN-Qhubeka has signed former Tour de France yellow jersey Linus Gerdemann for the 2014-2015 seasons, the team announced on Monday.

The German rose to fame in 2007 when he won a stage of the Tour de France and earned himself the race lead while also donning the white jersey.

Since then he went on to enjoy more successful years at the highest level of the sport, winning races like Bayern Rundfahrt and Tour of Luxembourg. He will now use that experience to grow the momentum within Africa’s first Professional Continental team.

“I am really happy to join the team,” the 30-year-old said. “We have a huge opportunity to make the sport big on the African continent and you don’t have this opportunity every day.

“We are incredibly happy to have Linus join our team,” said team principal Douglas Ryder.

“With eight Grand Tours under his belt, he will really strengthen our team in our Grand Tour aspirations for 2014 and 2015.

Left without a contract for 2013, Gerdemann was left to look for motivation and keep fit with no set goals. He says Gerald Ciolek’s victory in Milan-San Remo was a major motivator.

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