KOBLENZ — Canyon will expand on its commitment to working alongside the world’s best riders in 2018 with the establishment of its latest factory outfit, Canyon Topeak Factory Racing. The XC Marathon specialists will be headed up by reigning World Champion, Alban Lakata of Austria, the Czech Republic’s Kristian Hynek, American Jeremiah Bishop and South Africa native, Erik Kleinhans.

Canyon Topeak Factory Racing (CTFR) takes over from the highly successful pro arm of the Topeak-Ergon Racing Team, whose U.S. contingent will continue to compete throughout North America. Erik Kleinhans will put his many years’ experience on the scene to good use in a new double role as both rider and CTFR Team Manager.

For Canyon Founder & CEO, Roman Arnold, representation in the professional ranks in any riding discipline goes far beyond brand exposure: “Our history at Canyon is strongly rooted in racing. Personally, I’m very excited that Canyon Topeak Factory Racing will now join our enduro, downhill and freeride teams under one roof. Working with these athletes is about so much more than showcasing our products – the dialogue that exists between Canyon engineers and pro riders flows into every new development to make our bikes the best they can be for riders everywhere. That’s where the Pure Cycling flair that sets Canyon apart comes from.”

Sitting high of the team’s hit list in 2018 will be a top placing at the gruelling Absa Cape Epic (start: 18^th March) alongside defence of Alban Lakata’s Rainbow Jersey at the XCM World Championships. Riders will have a choice between the superlight Exceed CF SLX hardtail and Lux CF full suspension models to race on depending on the terrain.

Beyond the marathon scene, Canyon will also be represented at the top throughout the XCO World Cup season. CANYON//SRAM Racing’s Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and Dutch cyclocross star Mathieu van der Poel of Correndon-Circus are set to challenge the Swiss dominance laid down by Jolanda Neff and Nino Schurter. Both riders put in hugely promising performances on the XCO circuit last season and have backed those up over the winter, Mathieu van der Poel dominating the Cyclocross World Cup series while Pauline Ferrand-Prévot also made a return to the top step of the podium on her way to winning another French national title.

The newly assembled Topeak-Ergon Racing Team is still performing amazingly in the 20th edition of the Bike Transalp and successfully defends its place on the podium. With one day to go, Kristian Hynek and Jeremiah Bishop are third overall.

The second place success at the start last Sunday in Bressanone was not a stroke of luck. Jeremiah Bishop, who replaces world champion Alban Lakata in the first squad of the Koblenz Racing Team due to his rib injury, continues to do an excellent job.

However on monday, Kristian Hynek and JB had bad luck with a technical defect, and its repair cost them a few minutes. But because Alban Lakata came on the scene in the backup team and put himself in the service of his comrades, the setback in St. Vigil was not too severe. As a result, the duo fell back to third place, but they defended it with class.

On the fifth stage on Thursday from Caldo to Trento, the two Topeak-Ergon riders made a great effort for the yellow jersey, and just missed their first stage victory in Trento in a photo finish. In the sprint they were beaten by Daniel Geismayr and Hermann Pernsteiner by only one tenth of a second.

The previous years winners, as well as their team colleagues Jochen Käß and Markus Kaufmann, are ahead of Kristian and Jeremiah, but the rest of the competition is firmly under control. “The last three years I was in the backup team. Its an honor for me to ride on the first team,” says JB, who is more than just a substitute. “It surprises me how good it has been going. The teamwork with Kristian Hynek also works very well.”

For Alban Lakata, JB’s strong performance is not at all surprising. “He is a tough guy and has a good attitude“, says the Austrian, who is still in good shape with Erik Kleinhans at sixth place despite his handicap. Tomorrow it will be the last stage of the BIKE Transalp 2017 with 80 kilometers and 2,117 meters of altitude from Lavarone to Riva del Garda.

More information about the Topeak-Ergon Racing Team can be found at www.topeak-ergon-racing.com and at www.ergonbike.com