After the premiere on the road with the training camp on Mallorca and the start at the Mallorca Challenge, the team was presented to the public yesterday in Koblenz. The 150 drivers were introduced to more than 13 guests, including almost all of the sponsors, at the Mercure Hotel. After the words of welcome from host Robert Strohe, Florian Monreal, Hans-Peter Schössler (Lotto Rheinland-Pfalz), Fred Pretz (Sportbund Rheinland-Pfalz) and Julia Klöckner (Landtag Rheinland-Pfalz) also welcomed everyone present. And Minister of the Interior Roger Lewentz, who is a big cycling fan himself, took the opportunity to wish the new team from Rhineland-Palatinate best wishes for the future.
After the welcome, each driver had the opportunity to tell something about himself in an interview with moderator Alfred Eichler and to explain his role in the team and personal goals. While the young drivers explained that they would like to develop further in the team and learn from the experienced drivers, they did old hands like sprinter Joachim Tolles or captain Robert Retschke, it is clear that they intend to win one or the other.
The presentation lasted a good two hours and repeatedly referred to Florian Monreal's commitment. For the past four months he has been working with his family to fundraise the team. He is aware that he is planning for the long term and has found a suitable partner in team manager Markus Felsing. The presentation ended with a campaign in which over 500 euros could be collected for the Lotto Foundation and the Lotto Rheinland-Pfalz fundraising campaign for mentally handicapped children.