Team MTN-Qhubeka will be targeting an overall win in Le Tour de Langkawi which starts on Thursday, February 21.
The team will have three options for the general classification in Dennis van Niekerk, Sergio Pardilla and Jacques Janse van Rensburg. The three climbers will be supported by Jani Tewelde, Meron Russom and Tsgabu Grmay.
“Langkawi has become an important race with five World Tour teams riding with strong riders,” said Pardilla. “I’d like to go there and possibly win a stage or finish high on the GC.
“We will see what happens day by day and see which teammates are strong. If I have to work for my teammates, that’s no problem.
“We have good riders and it’s important that the team has a good race. Dennis and Jacques have been very strong.”
“My feeling is good since we’ve completed the second training camp with the team. I am very happy.
“I was in South Africa for the camp before going to Malaysia. The weather was good which is better for my preparation than Europe at this time of the year.”
“My condition is better than last year,” said Van Niekerk. ”The big hours are done so now it’s time to start the race. Overall I think I did 1 000km more than when I finished 4th in the race two years ago so I am looking forward to it.
“We have three cards to play, with myself Jacques and Sergio. Any one of us can have a good day on the climbs.
“It’s going to be important to get us to the front on the bottom of the climb so we have Meron, Jani and Tsgabu to look after us.”
