SA’s Meintjes is African Cyclist champion

SOUTH AFRICA’S Louis Meintjes beat 23 other candidates, including two Rwandan riders, to the 2013 Best African Cyclist of the Year award on Monday. Meintjes, 21, who rides for South African MTN-Qhubeka team, was voted ahead of his compatriot Daril Impey, the first African to wear the Yellow Jersey in the 2013 Tour de France.Eritrean Natnael Berhane, who won the award in 2012, came in third position. Rwandans Janvier Hadi and Valens Ndayisenga had also been shortlisted for the award.The jury, which was headed by Bernard Hinault, also included several international cycling experts Britain’s Chris Froome, last winner of the Tour de France. Meintjes, the double South African champion (road and against the clock), was particularly recognised for his silver medal at the World Championships in September in Italy.Last month, he won one stage and finished second overall in the 2013 Tour du Rwanda, which was won by his compatriot Dylan Girdlestone.Meintjes will receive his trophy from on January 19 in Libreville at the end of the Tropicale Amissa Bongo race, the first race of the year on the UCI-Africa Tour.

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SA’s Meintjes is African Cyclist champion