Pedal to the metal, guys!

TODAY, half a world away from here – in Utrecht, Holland – the colours of our Rainbow Nation will fly high and proud as some of our sportsmen tackle one of the world’s most famous events, the Tour De France. And, although there have been South Africans in the Tour before, this is the first time that a locally registered cycling team – the first African professional continental team recognised by the UCI, the world cycling body – has been invited to take part in the Tour.

And that is something to celebrate, coming on the heels of the 20th anniversary of our first Rugby World Cup win.

There will be those who carp that the MTN Qhubeka team includes a number of big name European and American cyclists, along with some up-and-coming Ethiopian professionals. That is true, but this is, nevertheless, a South African team with South Africans in it.

And that alone is heart-warming: anything which helps encourage our youngsters to aim for glory in sport – any sport – is a positive development.

MTN deserves a salute not only for putting funding behind the team, but also for its involvement in the Qhubeka Foundation. As we report today, the foundation has distributed more than 220 000 bicycles to kids in rural areas, enabling them to get to school.

Another ovation is due Douglas Ryder, the former South African Olympic cyclist who has been behind the team and spent a decade getting it to the level where it is internationally competitive.

The team is hoping all the years of effort will pay off with at least a stage win on this year’s Tour. Ryder believes an African team could be on the podium soon.

MTN Qhubeka – your time has come!