Topeak Ergon Racing-Team
Team Introduction
Since 2005 Topeak-Ergon Racing Team has been one of the most successful Professional Mountain Bike Teams worldwide. European Marathon Champion, Silver at the World Marathon Championships, German National Champion, British National Marathon Champion, and these are only some of the successes the team has had this year. Topeak-Ergon Racing Team continues to make their mark internationally – whether on the podium at the Olympics, at World Cup races, 24 Hour Races, or Dave Wiens battling a certain Lance Armstrong at consecutive Leadville 100 races. The Team is always up there.
Ergon’s support does not stop with Topeak-Ergon Racing Team. Through our international distributors Ergon can be seen being used by top-level athletes World Wide. From Japan to the United Kingdom, Brazil to Italy. Many top riders demand they ride Ergon grips. We also support many local events, where the unsung heroes, the end users, get to experience Ergon.
Irina Kalentieva
World Champion 2009, 2007, Olympic Bronze Medallist 2008
“It was a brilliant and a difficult race, but it was what I was determined to do” Irina Ka- lentieva said following becoming the 2009 World XC Champion, her second World Championship Title since 2007. An Olympic Bronze Medallist, she is at the absolute pinnacle Mountain Bike racing. Riding for Topeak-Ergon since 2006 she has become one of the family. Her feedback and input for new products is invaluable.
Wolfram Kurschat
German National Champion 1999, 2007 and 2009
Fanatical about the smallest detail, both on his bike and his training, Wolfram Kurschat’s approach is one that brings him real results. This perfectionism is extremely useful for Ergon. Feedback about the products from real world competitive use is essential. “Having someone to call on, who rides as much as Wolfram and goes into such fine detail is great for us” Kim Tofaute, Head of Research and Development at Ergon.
Alban Lakata
European Marathon Champion 2008 Silver Marathon World Champs 2009
Tough on himself, tough on the equip- ment. “He is like a motorbike. As others lose power, he simply opens the throttle’ Topeak-Ergon Racing Team Mechanic Lars Hartwich said of him, shortly after Alban’s Silver Medal finish at the 2009 World Championships. Lakata is also a Weight-Weenie, and provides concise and focused input to Ergon’s technical depart- ment.
Dave Wiens
Mountain Bike Legend
There aren‘t many real Legends in the MTB scene, but Dave Wiens is one of the few. For over 20 years he has raced against, and quite often beaten the best in the World. A career that has seen him as the US National Champion twice, he has managed as well as raced for teams. His status was officially recognised in 2002 with his admission to the “Mountain Bike Hall of Fame”.
In 2009 the score was settled as Dave fought to win his seventh Leadville 100, against amongst others, Lance Armstrong (who he had beaten in 2008). Finishing second to Lance though is something only Alberto Contador can better! With Wiens’ experience his input to Ergon cannot be quantified.
