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 rider had the opportunity to talk about themselves in an interview with presenter Alfred Eichler, explaining their role in the team and their personal goals. While the young riders explained that they wanted to develop further within the team and learn from the experienced riders, the veterans like sprinter Joachim Tolles and captain Robert Retschke made it clear that they definitely intended to secure a victory or two.
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.