African team says racist abuse won’t detract from success (Reuters)

(Note: strong language in the second paragraph) By Julien Pretot LIVAROT, France (Reuters) – The man who founded the first African team to race in the Tour de France said on Friday that racist abuse suffered by one of his riders in Austria this week could not deflect from its success in establishing Africa’s place in world cycling. MTN-Qhubeka team founder Douglas Ryder said Eritrean Natnael Berhane was upset at being called a “nigger” by Belarussian Branislau Samoilau as they raced alongside each other in the Tour of Austria on Wednesday, but had rejected suggestions he be disqualified. “Everyone agreed that it was unacceptable, and the rider apologized and offered to donate one month’s salary to team MTN-Qhubeka’s foundation.” MTN-Qhubeka’s Eritrean rider Daniel Teklehaimanot became the first black African to wear a leader’s jersey at a grand tour when he claimed the polka dot jersey for best climber on Thursday’s sixth stage of the Tour de France from Abbeville to Le Havre.