Cycling: Team Bahrain – Merida has completed its second season and put in an impressive performance. Numerous victories and podium finishes spanned the entire year. Based on the good transfer policy, 2019 could be even better.
Bahrain – Merida 2018: Not only Nibali knew how to convince
With 29 wins this season and 70 more places on the podium, 2018 can definitely be described as a very good year for Bahrain – Merida. The biggest victory of the year was celebrated in mid-March when Vincenzo Nibali won the one-day classic Milan – Sanremo. Matej Mohoric got what was probably his strongest season so far. Not only did he win a stage at the Giro d'Italia, but also the overall classifications of the BinckBank Tour and the Deutschland Tour. The men had no luck for the overall classification, however, in the big state tours. For Ion Izaguirre it was only enough for ninth place at the local Vuelta a Espana after Vincenzo Nibali showed an impressive performance at the Tour de France, but then had to give up due to a fall. All in all, more than ten drivers were responsible for the 29 successes, which speaks for a very balanced squad and a good mood in the team.
Transfers: Bahrain – Merida are improving in all areas
Despite eight new signings, the Bahrain-Merida squad will be downsized next season. On the other hand, there are a whopping eleven departures. About a third of the team is simply replaced, which can certainly be described as a major upheaval. However, despite the good results in 2018, this was actually needed. Overall, the squad was clearly too old. With Borut Bozic, Franco Pellizotti and Constantsin Siutsou three drivers end their careers at the same time. Also left in person by Gorka Izagirre, Ion Izagirre and Giovanni Visconti three absolute winners the team. Through the departures of Manuele Boaro, Niccolo Bonifazio and Enrico Gasparotto Bahrain – Merida is also becoming less and less Italian. But if you look at the additions, a fan doesn't have to be scared. On the contrary: the team has even strengthened. With the German duo Marcel Sieberg and Phil Bauhaus the mass sprint will also be an issue in the future. With Rohan Dennis probably the best time trialist in the world joins the team. Damian Caruso can be a first-class noble helper in the high mountains and Dylan teuns is already one of the strongest pros when it gets hilly.
departures | Additions | |
---|---|---|
Ion Izaguirre (Astana) | Phil Bauhaus (Sunweb) | |
Gorka Izagirre (Astana) | Marcel Sieberg (Lotto – Soudal) | |
Giovanni Visconti (Wilier – Triestina) | Damian Caruso (BMC) | |
Manuel Boaro (Astana) | Rohan Dennis (BMC) | |
Niccolo Boniface (direct energy) | Dylan teuns (BMC) | |
Enrico Gasparotto (dimension data) | Jan Tratnik (CCC – Sprandi – Polkowice) | |
Ramunas Navardauskas (Delko – Marseille Provence) | Andrea Garosio (D'Amico – Utensil North) | |
David Per (Adria Mobile) | Stephen Williams (SEG Racing Academy) | |
Franco Pellizotti (end of career) | ||
Borut Bozic (end of career) | ||
Constantsin Siutsou (end of career) |
Bahrain – Merida 2019: Now the team is even more flexible
Vincenzo Nibali outshines everything in the Bahrain – Merida team. No wonder, because the Italian is one of the strongest drivers of his time. But he's also getting older every year and the team management has to improve the quality of the squad across the board - and we think we've succeeded in doing that. If Phil Bauhaus can take another step forward, he is one of the strongest sprinters in the peloton. With Rohan Dennis you bought a quasi-guarantee of victory in time trials. The quality of the helpers has also improved as a result of the transfers and the squad has become a little younger in general. It can therefore be assumed that Bahrain – Merida will not deteriorate. Above all, we will see the jerseys of this team at the forefront on almost every terrain in the future.
#BAHRAINMERIDA🇧🇭 new jersey has been revealed today at team presentation in #Hvar Croatia 🇭🇷
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???? @bettiniphoto pic.twitter.com/lg6Nm0ScnO
- Team Bahrain Merida (@Bahrain_Merida) 12 December 2018
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