MERIDA PRESS CAMP

In the Olympic year 2012, it’s really not easy for a world-class MTB athlete to name another highlight of the season besides the crucial race in London. Nevertheless, the seven pro riders of the MULTIVAN MERIDA BIKING TEAM, their management and all assistants agreed once again that also the 9th MERIDA Press Camp as well-established start of the season defined a true highlight of the year even in the light of the five rings.

More than 300 international guests – among them 125 online, print and radio journalists from 22 countries – were invited from February 9th to 14th, 2012, to concentrate their attention via looks, microphones and cameras on our MULTIVAN MERIDA BIKING TEAM’s world-class pro athletes who had gathered once again on the Balearic Island of Majorca where the four-star hotel „Iberostar Playa de Muro“ is run by Bicycle Holidays Max Huerzeler. There, Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesja (NOR), José Hermida (ESP), Rudi van Houts (NED), Ralph Naef and Andreas Kugler (CH), Hannes Genze and Jochen Kaess (GER) held themselves in readiness nearly 24/7 – not only to be available for photo and video shoots, but also to answer patiently all questions of the international bike press during several interview marathons. Please note: Meanwhile, they also absolved all of their currently important training units! What about the winter training’s schedule? Which races will be absolved at the beginning of the season? What are the prospects for the Olympic Games…? Nearly no question remained unasked during the almost week-long event whose time dimension is unmatched within the current bike circus. Of course, the journalists asked not only about the athletes’ individual fitness but also about the newest material for Season 2012.

William Jeng – Senior Vice President of the main sponsor MERIDA – had arrived from Taiwan together with a delegation. MERIDA Europe CEO Wolfgang Renner was present as well. Both supplied information about the company’s current situation and about the further commitment as outfitter of the MULTIVAN MERIDA BIKING TEAM. Besides the 100 mm racing fully NINETY-NINE as newest tool of our pro riders, Juergen Falke (Head of Design at MERIDA Europe) showcased two additional highlights:

As top-level road racer for MY 2013, the SCULTURA SL gave the international press an impressive demonstration about the fact that MERIDA’s R & D experts are also outstandingly competent with respect to the road-racing sector – resulting in the development of a bike whose potential reaches far beyond the purpose of being “just” the training device of our MULTIVAN MERIDA pro athletes. In addition, there were four rideable prototypes of the 29” racing fully BIG NINETY-NINE whose further development was actively continued by engineers and pro riders during the Press Camp.

“At the beginning of the important Olympic Season 2012, our athletes have presented themselves once again in excellent shape. This confirms that our concept of long-term continuity is a way of success which is additionally accentuated by the equally continuous commitment of our sponsors,” Team Manager Andreas Rottler expressed his gratitude towards all supporters. Especially Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles supported the realization of the MERIDA Press Camp 2012 additionally by providing shuttle services, test and exhibition vehicles together with local partners.

Most certain, the nearly 320 guests of the MULTIVAN MERIDA BIKING TEAM will remember not only the pro riders’ presence and the product highlights, but also the unstable weather conditions during the days on the island: From spring-like sunshine and gusty coastal storms up to short snow showers, this February on Majorca offered all options to put the MERIDA test fleet (over 100 bikes) to the acid test on and off the Balearic asphalt. Together with the MERIDA R & D experts and the MULTIVAN MERIDA pro athletes, daily test rides were absolved on the new SCULTURA SL and on choice MTB trails in the saddles of our current team bikes – including several prototypes of the 29” racing fully BIG NINETY-NINE and of the 160 mm enduro ONE-SIXTY. These test rides offered literally the “live and direct” chance to experience the two-wheeled basis of our pro athletes’ success – which will be extended for sure in the Olympic Year 2012.