Van Zweel selected to represent SA

Van Zweel and the Europcar team excelled riding the 2013 Clover Tour in August with three podium finishes. Thanks to winning the first stage and the individual time trial, Van Zweel wore the leader's jersey for two days and finished second overall behind SA national team-mate Dylan Girdlestone.

"We're thrilled Paul's efforts have proved our faith in giving promising youngsters a springboard into elite and national teams, moulding future professionals," says Europcar COO Martin Lydall. "He has given plenty of credit for his achievement to the other five Team Europcar SA riders, who worked hard to support him after his outstanding stage-winning performances. Their efforts are also inspiring to us at Europcar SA - we realise how our strength in delivering top-notch customer service depends on combining excellent individual performances with great teamwork."

Competitive spirit

Van Zweel finished fifth overall in the international Mzansi Tour in April this year. He was first noticed in 2008, coming first in the National Road Junior Time Trial Championship. In 2009, he clinched first in Die Burger Cycle Tour.

That competitive spirit will be welcome in Rwanda as Van Zweel and SA team-mates Dylan Girdleston, Nico Thiart, Reynard Butler and Craig Symons cycle in formidable tracks. Last year Team South Africa won the team competition and SA rider Darren Lill won the tour, though he won't return to defend his title.

This year's Tour of Rwanda takes place from 17 to 24 November, starting and ending in Kigali's Amahoro Stadium, and covering 819km. An individual 4km Time Trial forms a prologue to the seven stages - four through Rwanda's scenic but often challengingly steep mountains and three flat stages.