We have successfully completed the first phase of preparation for the 2014 cycling season. Most of the Merkur Cycling Team trained together in Mallorca last week and is already looking forward to the official training camp in mid-March. This will again take place on the sunny island, then together with sponsors and VIP guests. A month later, the cycling classic Around Cologne the starting signal for the German Cycling Cup 2014.
“With the training week, the Merkur Cycling Team laid the foundation for a promising season. The team trained intensively and the specifications were implemented. It was a landmark week for everyone involved.”, our boss is also satisfied with Markus Adam. “The team harmonizes splendidly and everyone works in a goal-oriented manner. Everyone is highly motivated and is already looking forward to the start of the season in Cologne.”
At the start of the season in Cologne we will travel with a ten-strong squad. Three departures are offset by four newcomers. At the top is still Daniel Knyss from Cologne, who after his unfortunate third place in the GCC 2013 wants to be on the top step of the podium this year: “Our team is in good shape at this point. We were able to complete a lot of training kilometers together on Mallorca in mostly sunny weather. That was a lot of fun. Everyone is looking forward to the next training camp in March, because we want to be among the front runners again in the races of the German Cycling Cup and finish on the podium in all classifications. As a native of Cologne, I'm of course looking forward to the start of the season at "Rund um Köln" on Easter Monday."
Alexander Loos from Coschütz, Stefan Räth from Berlin and Till Baltes from Gummersbach are new to the team. Christine Göldner takes over the vacant place from serial winner Beate Zanner. The 51-year-old from Niedercunnersdorf took third place behind Zanner in the overall classification in the German Cycling Cup last season and won the German Everyman Championship in her age group.
The bike classic Around Cologne forms with that Skoda Velodom the start of the German amateur championship, which is being held for the first time as part of the German Cycling Cup. The national racing series includes a total of fourteen events. In addition, there are starts at the Velothon in Berlin and at the Vattenfall Cyclassics as well as at the Tour Transalp on the program in summer.
The 2014 team
Till Baltes (b. 1990)
Manfred Böhm (b. 1957)
Christian Dengler (b. 1978)
Christine Göldner (b. 1962)
Daniel Knyss (b. 1983)
Alexander Loos (b. 1988)
Christoph Mönig (b. 1984)
Stefan Räth (b. 1986)
Friedrich Schweizer (b. 1987)
Bernd Weinhold (b. 1961)
The dates 2014
Škoda Velodome – April 21, 2014, Cologne
Tour d'Energy – April 27, 2014, Goettingen
Škoda Velotour – May 01, 2014 Frankfurt
Neuseen Classics – May 11, 2014, Zwenkau
Circuit Cycling-24. May 2014, Hockenheimring
Schleizer Dreieck Everyone – June 15, 2014, Schleiz
Road Championships for Everyman – June 28, 2014
Rad am Ring – July 26, 2014, Nürburgring
SparkassenGiro – August 03, 2014, Bochum
Škoda Velorace – August 10, 2014 Dresden
Bremen Challenge – August 17, 2014, Bremen
Anyone Mecklenburg Giro – September 07, 2014, petrol
Rothaus Riderman – September 26-28, 2014, Bad Dürrheim
Sparkassen Münsterland Giro – October 03, 2014, Münster