This weekend, Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung will complete its European calendar when racing in France and Italy. 2013 has been the team’s debut season in the Professional Continental ranks and the team will look to finish the season on a high in Paris-Tours. The race is one that is traditionally won by a sprinter and Sports Director Jens Zemke explains the team will have many options for different scenarios in the race.

“We’re delighted to receive an invite to the race by ASO. We go there with the goal of achieving a top ten result in the race. I think this would be really good for us,” Zemke said.

“Gerald Ciolek has had a long season and is ready for a break so he will be supporting the other riders on the team. Jay Thomson is looking for opportunities and has been getting stronger every race, we’ll see how Kristian Sbaragli is doing after his crash in Belgium last week but he is very motivated. Youcef Reguigui has proved to us that he is a big talent and is in great shape right now,” Zemke added

“Martin Reimer has finished this race in the top ten before so his experience will be great and Ignatas Konovalvas has also had a strong end to the season like his fantastic ride at World championships. Johann van Zyl and Martin Wesemann are strong guys and both are brilliant at seeking breakaways and will be very important to the team.”

“Tomorrow we will ride the last part of the course and sit afterwards and discuss our plan in detail,” Zemke concluded.

The race takes place over a 235 kilometre course which is flat for the most part and ends in Tours.

Over in Italy, with several riders injured, the team is forced to start with five men in Saturday’s Giro dell’Emilia and Sunday’s Gran Premio Bruno Beghelli. Both races are rated highly on the Italian racing circuit and have attracted top WorldTour and Professional Continental teams.

Paris-Tours (France) – (October 13 / UCI 1.HC) Gerald Ciolek (GER),Ignatas Konovalovas (LTU), Johann van Zyl (RSA), Jay Thomson (RSA), Kristian Sbaragli (ITA), Martin Wesemann (RSA), Martin Reimer (GER), Youcef Reguigui (ALG).

Giro dell’Emilia (Italy) – (October 12 / UCI 1.HC)  Jacques Janse van Rensburg (RSA), Louis Meintjes (RSA), Tsgabu Grmay (ETH), Songezo Jim (RSA, Sergio Pardilla (SPA).

Gran Premio Bruno Beghelli (Italy) – (October 13 / UCI 1.1)  Jacques Janse van Rensburg (RSA), Louis Meintjes (RSA), Tsgabu Grmay (ETH), Songezo Jim (RSA, Sergio Pardilla (SPA).