Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka is happy to announce the addition of three new riders; Ben King, Scott Thwaites and Lachlan Morton.
Ben King (image below) will bolster the team’s American contingent. Having his European base in Lucca, he is no stranger to our training centre in Tuscany. Over the last three years the 27-year-old has been riding for Cannondale-Drapac, with stage wins at the Amgen Tour of California and the Criterium International being his major results. He also showed strong performances as a vital helper to his captains in several stage races.
Also joining will be Scott Thwaites (image above). The 26-year-old British rider gained experience in the professional peloton over the last four years while competing for Bora-Argon18. Thwaites had a very strong spring campaign in 2016 that saw him barely finish outside the top20 of the most prestigious cobbled classics. He will add depth to our squad come these races.
The third new rider is Australian Lachlan Morton (image above). At only 24 years of age he is the youngest of the trio. After making his debut with Garmin-Sharp in 2012 he continued racing with a focus on the US scene. This year has been his most successful to date. He won two stages and the overall of the Tour of Utah, and was also able to secure the overall classification of the Tour of Gila. He will be a valuable rider in shorter stage races and in the high mountains.
Douglas Ryder – Team Principal
Ben King – Rider
After steadily improving over the last 4 years in the classics and beginning to break into the top 20, I was looking for a team with some experienced classics riders and knowledgeable directors to help me continue to improve. I am really looking forward to supporting Edvald Boasson Hagen in the classics whilst learning from him and Sports Directors like Roger Hammond to enable me to also fight for top results. The team has a great rider support network which will help me make small gains in my performance which I hope will translate into results. In addition to focusing on the classics, being part of a team with great champions like Mark Cavendish gives me great motivation to help the team achieve many victories next season.
Having been brought up with a privileged life in the UK, I took things like getting good education, access to sport and available transport for granted. Seeing the plight of African children who are giving up on their education as the journey by foot to school is too arduous, is very saddening. By supporting the Qhubeka project and enabling these children to get to school by bike, stay in education for longer and follow their dreams, as I have mine, is a great honour.
Scott Thwaites – Rider
Lachlan Morton – Rider
I love Ben King!!