Maloja Pushbikers set off: new team, fresh perspectives!

Maloja Pushbikers set off: new team, fresh perspectives!

The Maloja Pushbikers, the established UCI Continental team from Holzkirchen, have decided to take a new path. Team boss Christian Grasmann announced that the team had canceled the continental license after seven years. This decision, which arose from financial challenges and ongoing pressure, is intended to enable the team to create a larger budget for the community and exciting events. Waiving the license brings the team an additional 80,000 euros.

The focus is now on integrating more young female athletes and increasing the visibility of women's cycling. Grasmann explained that the pressures of financial difficulties and overtime were a challenge for the entire team. Despite the restructuring, racing operations will continue in various categories, with participation in popular events such as “Around Cologne” and the Ötztaler Cycling Marathon still planned. The Pushbikers plan to further strengthen the brand and team spirit.

New team concept focuses on diversity

The Maloja Pushbikers are now starting with a newly formed team that probably belongs to the most diverse group of athletes in the club's history. Athletes from different disciplines, including mountain biker Daniel Federspiel and track rider Moritz Augenstein, provide a breath of fresh air. In addition, the sporting spectrum will be significantly expanded with the addition of triathlete Johanna Ahrens. The aim is to offer talented female drivers a platform to prove themselves in competition.

Next season the team celebrates its tenth anniversary, and to celebrate this anniversary there is also a new bike partner: Argon 18. As part of a three-year partnership, a new team bike was developed, which was designed at the company's European headquarters in Denmark. Grasmann attaches great importance to innovation and stability in the team structure.

Promoting women's cycling

What is particularly notable is the increased focus on women's cycling. While only around 27% of the approximately six million German racing cyclists are women, the team is creating a platform to help increase this number. Historically, women have made great strides in cycling after long struggles against societal norms. This development is supported by professional racing series and increasing sponsorship opportunities, which increasingly recognize and value women's cycling.

The visibility and standard of women's cycling has increased significantly in recent years, meaning female athletes can now successfully compete with their male counterparts. The Pushbikers take this development seriously and are committed to ensuring that women continue to occupy a place in cycling that they have fought hard for over the years. Maloja Pushbikers' decision to focus on young female cyclists is timely and could be a driving force for further progress in equality in sport.

With their plans and new direction, the Maloja Pushbikers show that they are not only focused on sporting success, but also want to promote the community and cycling itself. It will be exciting to see how the team will present itself in the coming season and what successes the drivers will achieve.