Youcef Reguigui had the weather in mind when he spoke about his first participation in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad in Belgium for MTN-Qhubeka this weekend.
“It’s five degrees today, not warm like Africa.”
One of 15 African riders on the continent’s first Pro Continental team, he will make history on Saturday when he becomes the first Algerian in the traditional Classics season opener.
“I am happy to be in this race. It’s a great picture for my country and for Team MTN-Qhubeka as we are the first African professional team.”
A little known fact about Reguigui is that his father was also a bike racer. He raced in Europe in the eighties and is a former winner of the Tour of Algeria.
“My father is happy for me but he is also happy for Team MTN-Qhubeka because he watched my first race on TV in Italy last weekend and was very happy.”
He first got the attention of the team management last year when he did well against the best U23 riders in the world. He won a Nations Cup event and placed in the top 10 in several others.
