Louis Meintjes was named Best African Rider of the Year this week after coming out top in a poll of African cyclists.
Image credit: Mjrka Boensch Bees
The annual award is conducted by Gabonese organisators of La Tropicale Amissa Bongo. This year, Chris Froome winner of the Tour de France was a member of the jury chaired by five-times Tour de France champion Bernard Hinault. Meintjes will attend the last stage of La Tropicale Amissa Bongo in January to accept the award.
Other finalists included accomplished cyclists Daryl Impey and Eritrean Natnael Berhane who received this prize 12 months ago. Impey this year became the first African to wear the yellow jersey in the Tour de France while Berhane races for French team Europcar and won a stage of the Tour of Turkey.
Meintjes who won the silver medal in the under 23 world road race championships this year said he was surprised when he heard the news. “I expected Daryl to win it so it was a pretty big shock to find out I’ve won. I don’t think it’s that I don’t deserve it but what Daryl Impey did was significant. I’m happy to pick up the award and it’s an honour for me. I’m looking forward to pick up the award in person.”
The 21 year old took a short break at the end of the European season before returning to racing at the Tour of Rwanda where he won a stage, his first professional victory. He’s just completed a week-long training camp with Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung and now looks ahead to next season.
“I feel rested and am training hard,” Meintjes said. “My goal is to step it up a level next year. I think it’s going to be a great season for our team.” he concluded.
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