Cycling
KweséESPN staff 6y

British champion among three new cyclists for Africa's Team

With the professional cycling transfer window officially open as of 1 August, Team Dimension Data have confirmed the addition of three new riders.

The UCI allows for World Tour teams to add up to 3 stagiaires, under-23 or elite riders to their rosters for the closing months of a season and Matteo Sobrero, Kent Main and Connor Swift will all begin their apprenticeship with Africa's Team this month.

While the trio are not allowed to race in any World Tour events, they will able to participate in any continental level events until the end of the year.

For Sobrero and Main, their new status is somewhat of a promotion as they have been part of the Team Dimension Data continental feeder team.

Italian Sobrero has had a breakthrough season, consistently placing in the top 10 at numerous under-23 UCI level races throughout the season. Winning the Coppa della Pace in June would undoubtedly be the 21-year-old'shighlight, but he also placed third in the opening prologue of the under-23 Giro d'Italia four days later and also in the time-trial race at the Italian national championships.

Main (22) has proven to be a popular and hard-working squad member during his two seasons in the 'reserve team'. As a super domestique, he has been key to the results his teammates have achieved and his selflessness has rightfully been rewarded - as Ryan Gibbons, Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier and Nic Dlamini have been in recent years.

"It's great to see another two stagiaires step up from the Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka UCI Continental Team. This team is improving year on year and with the incredibly close relationship to our World Tour team, where the Conti team riders get to train with our World Tour team riders," commented team principal Doug Ryder in the press release confirming the latest development.

Meanwhile, the signing of Connor Swift could be considered a coup, because he is the current British National Road Race Champion. Swift, who rides for the continental Madison Genesis team, won the British Road Race in early July with a daring solo break. The 22-year-old is described as powerful rider with a knack for picking out the decisive moves in tough classics-style races... much the same as his predecessor in the national champion's jersey, Steve Cummings. 

"We hope to continue to fast track riders and give them opportunities to step up and succeed in the tough world of professional cycling," Ryder concluded.

Swift, Main and Sobrero can expect to be given chances in the upcoming Arctic Race of Norway, Deutschland Tour, Tour of Britain and various end of season Italian one-day classics on the end of season race calendar.

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