Left: Africa’s Team has had a facelift for 2019, with
some key new signings. Below: Ryan Gibbons
wore the white jersey for leading young rider after
finishing third in stage two of the Tour of Oman in
February. He also enjoyed early season success at
the Tour Down Under in January.
A 2019 facelift
“We made some key signings for this
season,” he says of the team’s 2019
facelift. “Michael Valgren (from Astana),
Roman Kreuziger (from Mitchelton-
Scott) and Enrico Gasparotto (from
Bahrain-Merida) were among several
experienced riders who joined us
for 2019. While a racing palmarès is
certainly important, personality and
character is just as critical. One gets to
know the riders as people throughout
the year at the races and at the hotels
so recruitment is an ongoing process.
Would they fit into our team? What
can a certain rider offer the younger
team members? Are they road captain
material? Three simple questions and
very important ones at that.”
Of the half-dozen or so key signings,
it is Kreuziger in particular who stands
out for Aldag. With a racing palmarès
that includes an overall Tour du Suisse
title, it is the 33-year-old Czech’s
attention to detail and sheer leadership
ability that continues to impress.
“Roman is one of the most
professional riders I’ve ever worked
with,” confirms Aldag. “He’s always
asking questions and requires
answers; he sure keeps us staff on our
toes. He can tell you in November what
he’s doing in training the following
June. He’s a natural leader, but not
in a demanding way. This sort of
professionalism lifts a team and rubs
off on the younger guys.”
On track for France
Which brings us to the subject of La
Grande Boucle. While Team Dimension
Data for Qhubeka’s Tour de France
selection had yet to be announced at
the time of writing, what are the team’s
primary objectives? As expected, Aldag’s
response is as pragmatic as it is realistic.
“Winning Le Tour or even an overall
podium placing is unrealistic,” he
says. “But we absolutely have to be
competitive. There is always room for
opportunities and we’ll treat the event
as 21 one-day races.”
“2018 was a bad year for us, that is
for sure,” he continues. “But then it’s
easy to get carried away when you’re
just winning and it’s all sunshine.
You learn a lot more when you’re not
winning, not performing. So our mindset
will be to show fighting spirit and not
just be another jersey in the peloton.
After all, professional sport is all about
emotion, isn’t it?”
“WE’LL TREAT THE EVENT
AS 21 ONE-DAY RACES”
2 0 1 9 TO U R D E FR ANCE
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