Stradalli – Bike Aid wins stage 2 of the UCI 2.2 Tour of Eritrea.

The 179 kilometer stage from Tesseney to Agordat featured significant elevation change, but that didn’t deter the peloton from riding hard. Attacks started as soon as the riders left the start line. Stradalli – Bike Aid controlled the race with excellent teamwork throughout the day.

After Amanuel Meron’s podium finish in stage 1, the team knew he could provide a result. Amanuel Meron would be the most protected rider throughout the day due to his high general classification placing. Meron Teshome, however, is the better sprinter.

The two riders worked together to shepherd themselves in a fast final after a tough day of racing. Meron Teshome took the win, proving his sprinting ability at the highest level. Amanuel Meron followed closely behind in 3^rd place giving Stradalli – Bike Aid two riders on the podium of stage 2 of Tour of Eritrea.

The Eritrean riders have special motivation to race well in their home country, but the entire Stradalli – Bike Aid team and their management are working hard to ensure success at the Tour of Eritrea. Many of their riders are native to Eritrea and it is the place where the Stradalli – Bike Aid mission of creating a better future for those who are less fortunate began.

The Stradalli – Bike Aid team is currently using the full carbon Aversa frame because of its ability to perform well under a variety of conditions. The Tour of Eritrea will feature technical roads, fast sprint finishes and high mountains.

The Tour of Eritrea continues tomorrow with Stage 3 from Keren to Asmara, the capital of Eritrea. The stage will cover 93k, but it is mountainous. This stage will be the first opportunity for the real climbers of Stradalli – Bike Aid to show their talent.

Welcome to UCI Tour of Eritrea, Africa

Stradalli – Bike Aid has landed in Eritrea to prepare for the upcoming Tour of Eritrea. Eritrea sits on the East Coast of Africa. The race will explore the entire country, from the mountainous inlands all the way to the Red Sea in the east.

Stradalli – Bike Aid will be using the Aversa for the Tour of Eritrea due to its versatility. The bike climbs well, but is also suitable for sprint finishes. More importantly, the frame will keep the riders comfortable on the rough roads of Eritrea.

The Tour of Eritrea covers 669 kilometers over 5 days of racing. Mekseb Debesay, formerly of what is now Stradalli – Bike Aid, won the Tour of Eritrea in 2013 the last time the race was hosted.

Stradalli – Bike Aid riders Meron Amanuel and Teshome Meron took 3^rd and 4^th place on the general classification during their last attendance at Tour of Eritrea.

Eritrea has historically been a country of turmoil, but the country is responsible for some of the most successful riders to arrive at the World Tour from Africa. Daniel Teklehaimanot, who has ridden for teams such as Orica GreenEDGE and is now currently with Dimension Data, is arguably the most successful Eritrean rider in history. Mekseb Debesay recently switched from Stradalli – Bike Aid to join Teklehaimanot at Dimension Data.

Stradalli – Bike Aid is now the team which hosts the most exciting, young talent to come out of Eritrea. Meron Teshome and Amanuel Mengis Ghebreindrias are just two Stradalli – Bike Aid riders from Eritrea, but they have already had many podium appearances in 2016.

The team is now doing race reconnaissance on the mountainous roads of Eritrea before beginning the 5 stage UCI 2.2 race which begins on April 19^th.

Stradalli - Bike Aid Pro Team Heads Into UCI 2.2 Tour Of Eritrea

The UCI 2.2 Tour of Eritrea begins April 19^th and Stradalli – Bike Aid will be bringing a full team to compete at a race in a country that sits close to the heart of the team’s mission.

Eritrea, due to its Italian influence, is a cycling crazy country. Cycling is less of a hobby and more of a way of life for many Eritreans. Historically the country has been torn by war, disease and poverty. However, that hasn’t stopped Eritrea from ascending into the higher ranks of cycling.

Stradalli – Bike Aid will be in attendance with a full team of 6 cyclists, half of which are from Eritrea. Stradalli – Bike Aid has had several success stories of bringing riders from Africa and elevating them to the World Tour level. Past riders such as Mekseb Debesay, Eritrean professional rider for World Tour team Dimension Data, found their feet at the higher level with Stradalli – Bike Aid. Educating, training and providing opportunity for the African people was once a dream and is now reality for the German Continental Professional Team.

Teshome Meron, Amanuel Mengis and Meron Amanuel are the 3 Eritreans that will represent Stradalli – Bike Aid at the Tour of Eritrea. Of all the talent coming from Eritrea in the past few years, these few star riders are showing they are most exciting. Daniel Bichlmann, Dominik Merseburg and Matthias Schnapka will all be present to make up a top level team to compete for victory.

Amanuel Mengis, 21-year-old from Eritrea, began his season at the Challenge Mallorca racing against teams of the highest caliber. Trek – Segafredo took a win with Fabian Cancellara. Lotto Soudal took wins with Andre Greipel. Movistar, Team Sky and Francas de Jeux all were present showing off their early season form. Mengis was one of the youngest riders in the race and still proved he could perform with the best.

From Mallorca, Mengis traveled immediately to Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta Ciclista Del Sol where he was a constant presence in breakaways for Stradalli – Bike Aid. Mengis then brought his early season form to the Tour of Cameroon where finished in the top 10 in every stage, led the youth classification and took home the green points leaders jersey after 8 days of racing. Mengis is the first Eritrean to bring the Stradalli Carbon Aversa to a first place finish in a leader’s jersey competition.

The Tour of Cameroon is one of the most prestigious races on the UCI Africa Tour, but Eritrea is home for Mengis and several Stradalli – Bike Aid riders. The riders will have extra motivation to dominate their home race and show Eritrea is ready for the highest echelon of cycling. Cycling is the most watched sport in Eritrea. Weekend races have standout numbers in terms of attendance. Fans line the road for local races and beginner riders just entering the sport.

The accomplishments of Stradalli – Bike Aid have attracted attention internationally prompting everything from invites to larger races to television coverage in multiple countries. The Tour of Eritrea will be televised in several countries. Cycling aside, television networks in Germany will be broadcasting a human interest piece on Stradalli – Bike Aid and its riders, showing the genuine interest the public has in the mission behind the cycling team.

Eritrea, despite being a very small country, has already found its way to the top level of cycling. The Tour de France for many is the end goal of their cycling careers. Natnael Berhane of Team Dimension Data was the first Eritrean to achieve this goal, finishing 51^st in his first Tour de France and wore the polka dot climbers jersey for several stages during the race. For a small country, this is a huge achievement.

The question for the future will be whether Eritrea can make an even greater impact on the sport. The highest point in Eritrea sits at 2600 meters altitude and with Eritrea being such a cycling crazy country it seems Eritrea is poised to begin producing top athletes.

They may lack in resources, but they do not lack heart. Stradalli – Bike Aid’s mission is to give people such as these opportunities they otherwise wouldn’t have. All the African riders on Stradalli – Bike Aid have been top performers this year and Tour of Eritrea is the next stop on the journey to success in 2016. 

Robbie Hunter, former Garmin – Sharp rider from South Africa, now spends his time helping develop young African riders. Hunter has won stages in the Vuelta a Espana and at the Tour de France. His experience gives him an eye for talent. Cycling is crazy in Eritrea and many fans line the streets on race day. This is like a pro tour race just amazing atmosphere and the love for cycling

Great Article About The Stradalli - Bike Aid Team At The Tour Of Cameroon

Check out this great article about the Stradalli - Bike Aid Team At The Tour du Cameroun including pics and updates on each stage.

Recap of Stradalli - Bike Aid Success At Tour of Cameroon

Very good news from Stradalli – Bike Aid who sees it’s young rider from Eritrea, Amanuel Mengis achieve an authentic feat by winning the green jersey of the Tour du Cameroun 2016 UCI 2.2

In the final overall standings of the Tour of Cameroon the Stradalli – Bike Aid pro cycling team can be very pleased with their 4 podium finishes (including 1 victory by Jean Bosco Nsengimana in the 5^th stage). Amanuel Mengis finished 4^th place and only 1:01 minutes behind the overall leader. Patrick Lechner, Daniel Bichlmann and Joschka Beck also had strong showings. Mengis also finished 2^nd overall in the youth white jersey category and winning the green jersey , great tour for team Stradalli – Bikeaid .

The 13^th Tour du Cameroun finished Sunday with Stage 8 where riders fought to the finish to decide the outcome of several close battles for leaders jerseys and all jerseys .

Stradalli – BikeAid again placed several riders in the top 10 while working to give Amanuel Mengis the chance at victory in the general classication and the youth classification. At the finish of the race, Amanuel Mengis finished in second place in the youth classification, only 7 seconds behind the leader.

Amanuel Mengis took the youth classification jersey on the hardest stage of the Tour du Cameroun and in the process acquired many points in many different competitions of the race. He took 4^th place in the mountains classification and 4^thoverall in the general classification of the race.

Yves Beau, Stradalli – Bike Aid team director, said pressure was on all the teams to make improvements on general classification.

“Our plan before the stages was to be very active and make sure we are represented in the breakaway,” Beau said. “We were able to put most of the pressure on the Morrocan teams to compete for the GC and Amanuel Mengis brought his time gap to the yellow jersey down to just one minute.”

Though Amanuel Mengis fell short on the general classification, he won the points competition overall for best sprinter of the race and got the green jersey . The Stradalli – Bike Aid rider was in the top 10 at the finish of each stage, showing his great all around skill in flat finishes and hilly, windy stages and his great conditioning .

Patrick Lechner, Stradalli – Bike Aid rider, grabbed a podium spot on the way to helping the team fight for the general classification.

“I am more than happy and proud about today,” Lechner said. “I really wanted to win the stage, but in the end Martin was the strongest in our group and he deserves the victory. I am also very happy about the teamwork we have here at this race. That is a joy for all of us.”

Daniel Bichlmann, Stradalli – Bike Aid rider, said the roads in Cameroun threw all sorts of obstacles at them, but the team stuck together and the bikes rode great.

“Some of the roads we were on were very dangerous,” Bichlmann said. “The bikes rode and handled really well. Some teams had trouble navigating the rough roads, but we were able to just ride and focus on the race and that was key to our success.”

After great showings at La Tropicale Amissa Bongo and Tour du Cameroun, Stradalli – Bike Aid is now ranked top 10 in the world in the UCI Africa Tour. This is a huge success for Stradalli – Bike Aid and the team will travel next to race the Tour du Maroc at the beginning of April.

Tour du Cameroun – Stage 7: Another Great Podium Finish For Stradalli – Bike Aid

Patrick Lechner of Stradalli – Bike Aid finished stage 7 in 3^rd place. After Amanuel Mengis’ strong performances the goal for the race team was clearly defined, they wanted to occupy early breakaways to put the Moroccans under pressure and force them to work.

After a few attacks Patrick Lechner could settle with 5 other riders from the field. The group maintained a lead of more than 6 minutes before the field was led by the Moroccans once more.

Then a battle for the overall title and Daniel Bichlman, Joschka Beck and Jean Bosco Nsengimana did an outstanding job for Amanuel Mengis where a high pace was set on the mountain by the “man in yellow.”

But the Moroccan team worked well and were able to stay out front. It was an exciting day of racing which should decide the final top group. In the last steep part, Martin Mahdar of Slovakia attacked again and Lechner could not follow. However, he was able to secure 3^rd place and the team and sposnors where very excited and proud of him.

“I am super happy with the day, you want to win but I cannot complain. Martin was just a little stronger in the end a deserved to win. I am happy that we raced as a team and worked well together.” Stradalli – Bike Aid rider Patrick Lechner.

Also very encouraging was the 6^th place finish for Amanuel Mengis, solidifying his 3^rd place ranking in the overall standings and youth classification lead and young riders white jerseys 

Cameroon Diary #2: Joschka Beck

The heat was brutal during the Tour du Cameroun. Between that and battling the Moroccans and Cameroonians who were able to acclimate to it much faster, it was a tough race. They ride and attack one after another and we find it challenging to keep up with them in the race. You find yourself thinking about how they would be able to adapt in Germany, in the snow.

Racing here is a lot different than anywhere else in the world . Stage 3 was the longest stage of the program, 177km. Without more topographic difficulties it was still a hard race. It’s not about tactics, it’s about going full throttle and giving it all that you have for hours in the heat . After 2 hours of barely reaching the half way point your legs are noticeably tried but you have to continue to attack.

We tried to stay up with the leaders but it wasn’t going to be easy. In the final, we went to the city of Douola and it began to rain and you had to stick to slippery roads very carefully because of all the construction sites all around. Daniel and Amanuel did a great job in the field sprint. It actually is funny that Amanuel is here with the sprint when he is actually considered one of the best climbers but he always manages to come stay up no matter the circumstances. 

STRADALLI – BIKE AID TAKES WHITE JERSEY IN TOUR DU CAMEROUN

Amanuel Mengis Ghebriendrias taken the lead of the youth classification of the Tour du Cameroun with only 2 stages left in the 8 day UCI 2.2 Africa Tour race.

Amanuel Mengis has placed in the top 10 in every stage so far at the Tour du Cameroun. His consistent placings have seen him slowly rise to the top of the general classification. He now sits 3^rd overall for the entire race and is the best young rider at the Tour du Cameroun.

Stradalli – Bike Aid also sits second in the points classification and third in the mountains classification. The Tour du Cameroun has been a huge success for Stradalli – Bike Aid this far in the race.

Stradalli – Bike Aid Management said the performance of the team and the bikes has been perfect from day 1.

“We haven’t had any issues with crashes and all the riders are riding better than we could have dreamed of. Our equipment is top notch so we have no issues competing at this level. Only two stages are left and the team is very positive.” Management said.

Stage 6 of Tour du Cameroun finished with an epic battle in the final which saw time large time gaps appear throughout the peloton.

Patrik Tybor of Slovakia took the top step of the podium on Stage 6 on the hardest hilliest day of the Tour of Cameroun, but Stradalli – Bike Aid rider Amanuel Mengis Ghebreindrias placed third on the day only 9 seconds behind the winner and put significant time into all the general classification rivals.

The Tour du Cameroun is an 8 stage, UCI 2.2 race on the UCI Africa Tour. In 2016, Stradalli – Bike Aid has raced and taken podium in finishes in every Africa Tour race they have entered. Stradalli – Bike Aid’s mission is to develop young African riders and 2016 has already been a year of success.

Stradalli – Bike Aid has placed multiple riders in the top 10 of every stage of Tour du Cameroun so far and are looking to continue that trend in Stage 7 and Stage 8.

Patrick Lechner, Stradalli – Bike Aid rider from Germany, said the team is performing just as they had planned.

“We came with the intention of riding a great team race and it is paying off,” Lechner said. “We have had great rides so far because of our teamwork. The bikes are riding great and there is nothing holding us back. I just stepped off the bike from stage 6 and I am already ready for stage 7.”