Video: Team MTN-Qhubeka - the first African team to ride a WorldTour event

Although it's barely started this year's Tirreno Adriatico has already seen one significant landmark passed, no not Cav pulling the race leader's jersey on after a time trial, but the inclusion of Team MTN-Qhubeka the first African cycling team ever to start a WorldTour event. This short film takes a behind the scenes look at the team at Tirreno Adriatico and explains more about social mission which also sets them apart from the run-of-the-mill pro sports team.

That mission is to help alleviate poverty in rural African communities by giving children bikes in return for working on green projects such as planting trees. Giving access to transport helps to unlock a whole raft of opportunities for rural Africans. You can find out more about the foundation's work on its website www.qhubeka.org and in the second video about the team below. The MTN in the team's name is their other major sponsor a leading South African telecoms company. 

The team, which was founded in 2007, gained Pro-Continental status in November last year - the first African team to do so also has a wild card entry in to Milan San Remo. They've already made their mark in some of the early season races too with Gerald Ciolek - the team's best known rider taking the final stage of the Three Days of West Flanders.