Team Barloworld has been extremely focused for the first half of the season, as is the case for all non-ProTour teams that must earn wildcard entries to ride in cycling’s biggest races.
The determination of the South African team had already paid off earning them an invitation to the Tour of Flanders, a race considered to be one of cycling’s monuments. That alone is a big achievement for a Continental Professional Team.
With a Flanders appearance already under their belt, the Amaury Sports Organisation – also the organizers of the Tour de France – have now extended an invitation to two more of their events – the Fleche-Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege.
“We’re very proud to have been invited to take part in Fleche-Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege and the news boosts our motivation and team spirit for the spring. We’re pleased that ASO have put faith in us and we’ll ride aggressively in both races,” team manager Claudio Corti said.
The invitation confirms the quality of Team Barloworld’s performances earlier this year and gives them the opportunity to enter cycling’s history books.
After the doping controversies at Tour de France last year Barloworld was close to pulling their sponsorship for the sport, but a change in heart of the company’s leadership allowed them to continue for another year saving many jobs in an already tough environment.