07.03.2006
Race report from Multivan Merida Biking Team:
«Multivan Merida Biking Team»’s outlook to the 2006 season
Focussed on all world champion titles
During a training camp on the island of Mallorca, the «Multivan Merida Biking
Team» presented its new team and targets for the 2006 mountain biking season. On
a long term, the team is focusing on 2008’s Olympic games in Beijing, China.
That’s why podium hopefuls like Gunn-Rita Dahle (Norway), José Hermida (Spain)
and Ralph Näf (Switzerland) all were signed for another three years. At the end
of March, the «Multivan Merida Biking Team» is going into the 2006 season with
high ambitions: The goal is to win world championship titles in the Olympic
distance as well as in the marathon competition.
In the women’s field, Gunn-Rita Dahle is the favourite in both competitions,
being the title holder. The three-time winner of the worldcup overall has won
everything there is to win in the sport of mountain biking. «I’d like to
continue on this wave of success right to the Beijing games», the Norwegian
comments. Whether the then to be 35-years old Dahle plans to retire from the
sport after the next Olympic games remained unanswered.
Another team member to start the season with ambitions on a world championship
title is José Hermida. The Spaniard has already won the rainbow jersey in the
junior, espoir and team relay races respectively, the elite title is the last
one that’s missing. «That one is set for this year», Hermida points out his
ambitions. After having won his first worldcup race in 2005, Switzerland’s Ralph
Näf has also set his mind on a podium finish at next August’s world
championships.
With their performances at an international top level, German riders Nina Göhl,
Moritz Milatz and Jürgen Kotulla are meant to help «Multivan Merida Biking Team»
in its effort to win the worldcup team overall for the fourth time
Multivan Merida Biking Team 2006:
Gunn-Rita Dahle (NOR)
Nina Göhl (GER)
José Antonio Hermida (ESP)
Ralph Näf (SUI)
Moritz Milatz (GER)
Jürgen Kotulla (GER)
